Largs Thistle 1 Arthurlie 2


Battling Thistle were denied an equaliser after a ghost goal in the last minute of this 'friendly' contest.
The ball appeared to cross the line for nearly a second as fans called for the goal to be given to secure a draw but the ref waved away all protests.
Largs had been under the cosh at times in this encounter up against an impressive Arthurlie side who were robust and hard working, and made their presence felt throughout this encounter.
There were quite a number of yellow cards - including for manager Stuart Davidson for protesting a decision - while defender Cory Hughes succumbed to a head knock. Largs were already missing wing wizard Jack Haggerty to injury.
However, Thistle, who have been unbeaten in four friendlies going into Saturday's game, started brightly, scoring the opener on seven minutes.
A high cross from the right was narrowly missed by William Sewell and only partially cleared to Stuart Faulds who scored his second in three games as he angled a fierce drive past the keeper.
But Arthurlie took the wind out of Thistle's sails three minutes later with a prompt equaliser.
A free kick was floated in from the left and Gary Smith was quickest to react as he nodded home past the flailing arms of Jamie McGowan in the Largs goal.
And on 19 minutes, Smith then crashed a free kick off the Largs crossbar from 25 yards.
Arthurlie continued to look dangerous and took the lead four minutes into injury time as Thomas McGaugh drilled an effort into the bottom left hand corner from 20 yards.
McGowan was called upon to make a great diving save low to his left on 56 minutes as Reid threatened again.
Largs breathed another sigh of relief on 68 minutes a free kick was rattled off the bar for the visitors as Nadeen Zeb headed the rebound over the bar. 
It looked like the away team's barrage of pressure was going to pay off a minute later when a spot kick was awarded but again the woodwork came to Thistle's rescue.
Largs enjoyed their best spell of game in the last 20 minutes with the arrival of skipper Scott Adam leading the charge.
On 85 minutes, sub George Sewell's header was cleared off the line, and then in the 90th minute another downwards header from a trialist left Arthurlie all over the place.
The ball appeared to cross the line before it was frantically cleared but the luck that had deserted Arthurlie after hitting the crossbar three times went their way on this occasion as the whistler missed it.
This game, in the end, went right to the wire, with Largs having to grimly hold on at times, before nearly popping up with a dramatic last gasp leveller.
The match certainly gave Largs boss Stuart Davidson plenty to chew over after their first friendly defeat.
THISTLE: McGowan, Forbes, McMaster, Hughes, Trialist, Faulds, McBryde, Macintyre, Milliken, Sewell, Trialist. Subs: Adam, Trialist, McPhee, Weir, Sewell, Farrell, King.

* Largs host Irvine Vics at Barrfields Park on Wednesday (tonight) with a 7.15pm kick-off.