Rob Roy 1 Largs Thistle 2


It was particularly fitting that Thistle skipper Scott Adam's second half penalty strike secured Largs a top ten spot after a magnificent finish to the season.

The experienced forward has shown great commitment to the Barrfields club for five seasons - and his unsung role in this season's Great Escape has been immense.
It was his enthusiastic cheer after lashing home the winning spot kick which was as loud as anyone else's at Duncansfield Park - he was a happy man!
With Premiership safety secured last weekend, Largs knew that victory would take them above both Troon and Beith into tenth spot in the 20 team league - which is truly remarkable given Thistle have been stuck in and around the relegation places for most of this season.
Thistle made some personnel changes with Sean McLeod replacing Laurie McMaster, and Ross Love replacing Jamie Ballantyne, in defence.
It was a feisty finish to the league season with both teams having orderings off in a highly competitive encounter.
Rob Roy made the early running in this fixture but Largs nearly caught them with a quick counter as Will Sewell's low rifled cross into the box was frantically cleared for a corner.
Baber's high ball into the box for Rabs nearly released McPherson but Thistle defender Connor McGoldrick swept up the danger.
McPherson then launched a 25 yard free kick screamer which just blazed past the left post.
Largs came very close to taking the lead on 37 minutes as Will Sewell showed a fine burst of pace down the right and his dangerous cross into the box was met by Adam.
There was a tangle of legs as Rob Roy defender Baber and keeper McAllister somehow managed to block as the ball spun wide.
Both teams were growing frustrated at refereeing decisions while an offside decision from a Largs throw irked the Thistle management and support.
Largs took the lead as Simon McBryde lofted a dangerous ball into the box and Will Sewell and a Rob Roy defender both went for it but the ball rebounded into the path of Will's brother George. He made no mistake as he spectacularly blazed the ball into the roof of the net on 43 minutes.


However there was drama before the interval as Will Sewell was shown a red for an off the ball challenge.
Early in the second half, Rob Roy had the ball in the back of the net as Bell's long ball into the box found Henry who tucked the ball under Farrell but the offside flag was raised.
And on 50 minutes, Scott Adam was knocked down as he raced into the opposition box as the referee pointed to the spot.
It was a professional foul as Bell was given his marching orders, and Adam dusted himself down to bury the ball in the bottom left corner of the net for his 125th career goal for Thistle.


A penalty was awarded at the other end just a minute later as Rob Roy's Scott's shot was blocked by Cory Hughes who seemed unfortunate and could not get out of the way. Daily smashed the spot-kick past Farrell to half the deficit.
Farrell had some work to do punching away high balls and making a good save from a free kick as Rob Roy searched for an equaliser but the Largs defended their lines well and the Thistle attacks had more potency.
Indeed, Largs should have scored on 74 minutes as Ross Love's delivery into the box found McLeod who headed over the keeper but as the ball was coming down Gilday pulled off a marvellous overhead kick clearance off the line.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Dramatic clearance denies Sean McLeodDramatic clearance denies Sean McLeod
Match winner Adam received warm applause from the travelling fans as he was replaced by Aiden Duffy, and Blair Docherty replaced McLeod, in the final stages.
Time was halted as Rob Roy's Fraser Scott was writhing in pain in a worrying incident, and suffered a dislocated knee as he had to be carried off the field of play to receive treatment.
Duffy had a great chance to put Largs 3-1 up but snatched at his opportunity and sent wide of target, and then Simon McBryde drilled an effort off the crossbar on 83 minutes as Largs finished the match strongly.
The full-time whistle signalled a resounding cheer from the Largs fans who applauded the players off the park after another determined victory to make it six wins in a row in this most competitive of leagues.
The team to a man has been superb in the Great Escape - and to take all that on board, and round off the season with a win at one of the trickiest places in the Premier League over recent months is full credit to manager Stuart Davidson and his players. 
LARGS: Farrell, Hughes, McLeod, McGoldrick, Love, Faulds, G.Sewell, McBryde, W.Sewell, Adam, Forbes. Subs: McMaster, Docherty, Duff, Ballantyne, McGowan (GK).