Published: Saturday, 20th March, 2010 5:16pm

THISTLE BATTLE BACK FOR REPLAY

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Irvine Meadow 1 Largs Thistle 1

Largs and Irvine Meadow will have to do it all again next Saturday after a hard fought clash at Meadow Park.

James Marks had a good early chance with only a minute gone but his off balance effort was well saved by the keeper after a poor back pass.

Meadow soon settled and missed two good opportunities and Largs struggled with the pace and physical power of Meadow.

Irvine took the lead midway through the first half after a Connick spill allowed Jaconelli to easily poke home from a matter of yards. The Largs keeper was struggling after a head knock moments before and was replaced at half time by Ryan Greenwood.

Largs came out much better in the second half and came close to scoring after a Willie McClure backheel was cleared off the line and a subsequent cross into the box was headed wide by Walton with the goal gaping.

However, with twelve minutes left, Ryan Deas showed a moment of true class down the right as he shaped up for a cross but instead threaded through a great pass from the right and Martin Dow managed to slam home with possibly sub Andy Monaghan getting a final touch.

After weathering a first half storm, Thistle were by far the better side in the second half and could even have gained a late victory as they had most of the pressure in the final stages.

Both John Robertson and Connick are concerns for next week after being subbed due to injury.