Hurlford 0 Largs Thistle 2

What a win.

Thistle boss Stuart Davidson said he was pleased first and foremost with the performance of his players after their first away victory in the McBookie.com Premier League, and if they can keep this form up, there could be many more wins on the road to come.

Let's not forget, this was a Hurlford team who managed to score five times the week before, and yet couldn't find a way past the determined Largs defence and keeper Sean Graham, on their home turf.

This was a savvy and swashbuckling performance from Thistle who could have won by many more , but will be content to have got their first clean sheet in the Premier, after being denied that feat a few weeks ago by a last minute consolation against Troon.

The Barrfields men had an early chance through James Marks as he burst through but cannoned an effort wide of the right post, but the offside flag had already been raised.

A curling Alec McWatters free kick found Nicky Jamieson but he slammed his effort wide as Largs were creating some decent openings.

The offside flag was raised again as Hurlford keeper Ally Brown made a very smart save from a close range angled strike by McWaters.

Hurlford enjoyed some good possession as the first half wore on, but were struggling to overcome Thistle who were defending in packs.

The home side's best opportunities fell to McKenzie who cut inside from the right and fired in a low shot which was comfortably saved by Graham, and a pressurised header from a corner which flew over the bar.

Just as the first half was coming to an end, there was a clear foul as Marks burst into the penalty area which gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

Midfielder Glenn Thomson drilled home the penalty kick on the stroke of half-time.

Largs had keeper Sean Graham to thank for a superb double save at the start of the second half, and then Thistle doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Marks headed home with power at the left post after an arching cross from the industrious Iain Fisher on the right after some tenacious play.

The dancing feet of McWaters was causing Hurlford no end of problems, and the farmed out Morton youngster forced Brown into more good saves.

Hurlford were being run ragged at times after that and the impressive McWatters nearly scored a stylish third, and Matt Bennett hit the right post with an outlandish effort from fully 30 yards as the home defence were at sixes and sevens.

Marks was involved in a close call for a second penalty, while Ford started to lose their discipline with a late red card for Molloy.

Hurlford did have a few chances but they were snuffed out by the excellent Largs defence of Nicky Jamieson and Creag Little, well marshalled by Eddie Walton. But in truth, it was a triumph right throughout the team, with every player playing a part.

It was a measure of Thistle's confidence and swagger that when a Hurlford forward was bearing down on Graham after a short back pass, the keeper nonchalantly dinked the ball around him, before continuing to calmly pass the ball out of defence.

At times, Thistle's play was a joy to watch, and left Hurlford chasing shadows at times, and looked dangerous down both wings.

Largs were unlucky not to win by more in the end, and were zealous in their play. It was their best performance of the season to date. From a season in danger of ebbing away, Thistle have now given themselves a fighting chance of staying up. And on this evidence, would you dare doubt them?

Bring on the Pollok!

Hurlford: Brown, Hodge, McKillen, Fisher, Robertson, Molloy, McKenzie, Brown, Kean, Roberts, McColm. Subs: Donnelly, Moffat, Byrne, Chisholm, Murchie.

Thistle: Graham, Fisher, Walton, Little, Jamieson, McDonald, McWaters, Thomson, Marks, Struthers, Bennett. Subs: Gilbride, McMaster, McMahon, Loftus, Lundy (GK)