Cumnock 4 Largs Thistle 2

 

Thistle's unbeaten run came to an end at Cumnock after an action packed encounter with controversial goals and drama from first whistle to last.

Stuart Davidson's side were going into this match in good form five games unbeaten, and the cornerstone of that good run had been solid defending from Largs.

Key defender Connor McGoldrick was injured against Cumbernauld and his calming presence was much missed.

However, it was Largs who took the game to Cumnock in the early stages with Will Sewell particularly unlucky in the opening minutes to see his header coming crashing off the junction of the crossbar and deflecting off the keeper to safety.

And Thistle took a deserved lead on 10 minutes as a corner kick into the box from Jack Haggerty was headed on by George Sewell with Docherty getting a touch to divert the ball past the keeper.

Largs were dictating the early play but Cumnock soon imposed themselves and netted a spectacular equaliser as Osadolor delivered the cleverest of chips from 25 yards which sailed over Jamie McGowan's head and into the net - it was outstanding from the ex-Elgin City forward.

The goal changed the game and suddenly Largs were on the backfoot.

Cumnock notched a second goal after a soft free kick given on the edge of the area as Jordan Moore took a tumble under Brad Gray's challenge.

Despite shouts of a dive, ref Ross Clark controversially awarded the set piece.

Miller's drilled in effort from 20 yards was blocked by McGowan but Osadolor was quickest to react to drive the rebound into the back of the net on 24 minutes.

The third goal arrived on the stroke of half time as Ross raced down the right wing and his low curling cross into the danger area eluded everyone including McGowan as it nestled into the bottom left of the net.

A big second half comeback was required but Cumnock extended their lead just three minutes into the second half.

A corner was swung into the box was headed goalwards by McAusland, and despite Largs clearing the ball from danger, it was deemed that it was over the line and Cumnock's fourth was awarded.

The decision received an angry reaction from the Thistle support who were incredulous - and even McAusland had his head in his hands after his header thinking it had been cleared.

Thistle's defensive woes continued when Love was injured and had to come off to be replaced by Cory Hughes.

Scott Adam and Laurie McMaster also came on for Docherty and Ballantyne as Largs looked to come back into the game.

Thistle started to turn the screw and were denied after Adam's effort came flying off the crossbar on 82 minutes.

Thistle won a penalty after Will Sewell raced along the byeline and whipped a cross into the box which caught a defender's arm, and the young striker despatched the spot-kick with five minutes to go.

Circumstances went against Largs on the day as some of the big decisions benefitted the home side but there was still a feeling of disappointment that Largs weren't able to counter that and turn the game in their favour.

 

LARGS: McGowan, Gray, Bannatyne, G.Sewell, Love, Faulds, Haggerty, McBryde, W.Sewell, Docherty, McLeod. Subs: Adam, Milliken, Duffy, Hughes, McMaster, Farrell (GK).