Largs hold big spenders Pollok in Glasgow stalemate

If ever there was a match that lived up to its scoreline this was it.
Thistle were effectively a human shield as they thwarted constant pressure from the Glasgow side who were ebulliently cheered on by their big city support.
However, it was the small contingent of Largs supporters who left happy as Pollok were well and truly frustrated as their ample firepower fizzled out in the city sunshine.
Goalscoring chances were at a premium as defences were well on top.
It was the second year running Thistle have come away from Newlandsfield Park with a well earned point just to prove the first wasn't a fluke.
Stuart Davidson's men deserve credit given that they were missing a number of key players including central defenders Cory Hughes who was suspended following last week's red card, and Connor McGoldrick who is on holiday.
Thistle were missing striker Scott Lewis who was injured and Liam Coogans who was on the bench after recovering from illness, leaving forward Alan Frizzell having to fend for himself upfront.
Largs welcomed back Ryan McCreath to help shore up the defence after suspension and he had an influential say on matters.
Midway through the first half Jamie McGowan had practically his only save of the game after a long range Pollok effort was beaten away for a corner, and moments later, the home went close as an angled shot from the left flashed across the face of goal.
Pollok's McCann then screwed his volley inches wide of the right post from ten yards in a big opening.
After withstanding strong pressure, Largs had a few forays forward towards the end of the first half but came up against fierce resistance in the form of some very physical challenges.
Laurie McMaster was sent flying to the ground as he was setting himself up to shoot, and Stuart Faulds resultant free kick was floated over the bar.
Wing back Sean McLeod's pace saw Menzies chop him down near the Pollok corner flag, but Thistle's curling free kick into the box had no takers, and that was that as the half-time whistle sounded.
Both teams had early efforts in the second half including a spectacular Craig Forbes overhead kick from 22 yards out which whizzed wide but had both sets of fans marvelling at the athleticism and skill on show in the ambitious effort.
Frizzell had a rare opening but his shot was blocked as his effort was easily gathered by Lok keeper Lumsden who got a rare touch of the ball.
The diminutive Forbes showed great willingness to reach McCreath's free kick, and headed narrowly wide at the right post.
On 68 minutes, Pollok had their best opening of the match as McCann sent a downwards header wide of the left post but was put off under pressure from McCreath.
The city side threw on some subs with Duff turning and twisting his way down the wing but Lewis Davidson magnificently blocked the cross at full stretch.

Defensive wall - Largs worked hard to earn at point at big spenders Pollok (Image: Newsquest)
A barrel-load of Pollok corners didn't yield any results either as McCann attempted to head home through a crowd of defenders but couldn't hit the target. 
McLeod was pole-axed again by a Pollok winger and required treatment as frustrations boiled over but Largs resolutely showed that they were not prepared to give Pollok an inch.
In one passage of second half play, which was really an epitome of the game in general, Pollok sub Shelvey attempted to break his way through a series of Largs challenges
But George Sewell, Simon McBryde, and then Lewis Davidson disrupted his play in impressive fashion with Pollok so frustrated that Davidson was subsequently fouled.
The full-time whistle was a relief after such concentrated pressure but Largs more than merited this point after such a disciplined and mature performance.
Thistle now need to turn their attentions to getting goals themselves as a sobering glance at the league table afterwards shows Largs hovering just above the relegation zone despite an unbeaten start to the season.
THISTLE: McGowan, McMaster, Sewell, McLeod, McCreath, McGrath, Davidson, Faulds, McBryde, Forbes, Frizzell. Subs: Coogans, Haggerty, Devine, Thomson and Walker (GK).