Largs Thistle 2 Rutherglen Glencairn 0
Largs gained a much needed victory over Rutherglen in the last league game of 2017.
Although Thistle won by two goal margin, it was much closer than the scoreline suggested with Glencairn never giving up the ghost, while Largs had to remain resolute before getting their second goal to finish off the contest.
It was poor start for Largs with visions of their last match against Renfrew when they conceded in the first minute.
Thistle keeper Sean Graham was quick off his line though and made the save from rampaging Alessandro Savarese.
Largs recovered from that earlier wobble and went on to dominate proceedings and had two penalty claims, with top scorer Scott Adam being felled in the box.
Midfielder Ryan McKie was making some good runs and was looking dangerous, and he forced the ball home on 18 minutes after a goalmouth scramble. 1-0 Largs.
Adam's curling cross then shaved the crossbar, as Largs looked to add to their lead.
Eight minutes into the second half, and the visitors were reduced to ten men after Craig McGregor's challenge on Laurie McMaster.
But ten men Rutherglen refused to lie down and sent a deflected effort whizzing past Thistle's right post.
Largs had two excellent openings to put the game beyond doubt but Creag Little's header from a corner smacked the right post, and Nicky Jamieson had the goal gaping but the big defender flashed his header wide when it looked easier to score.
Thistle keeper Graham had to make two good stops to deny Jamieson and sub McKay, before yet another dismissal for the visitors as Leyden was cautioned again.
Largs made the points safe with a goal of real quality as Adam spun on the byeline after a quick throw and delicately chipped the outrushing keeper to angle the ball into the net on 87 minutes.
Thistle made heavy work of it after a good first half, but credit to Rutherglen who never gave up fighting.
It was the Barrfields club's first victory in the league since a 3-1 fightback against Kello in the First Division, but with cups, friendlies and league games in recent weeks, plus a couple of postponements, Largs have actually been unbeaten since 28 October.
Largs: Graham, Orr, McVey, Little, Jamieson, Muir, Fisher, Fleming, Adam, McKie, McMaster. Subs: McWaters, Struthers, Burden, Ashe, Trialist.