Ardeer Thistle 0 Largs Thistle 2

An incredible own goal from Ardeer settled a nervy tussle at a rainy Recreation Park as Largs made into the first round of the West of Scotland Cup.

The video clip sent Twitter ablaze with over 100,000 views in less than 24 hours - which was in stark contrast to the small band of 100 hardy supporters watching from the sidelines on Saturday.

 

It was a crazy finish to a game which had been a test of endurance for the supporters as much as the players.

The heavy pitch at Stevenston soaked up the morning deluge as both teams slugged it out in the preliminary round contest as Ardeer, sitting second bottom of Division 3, were buoyed by a noisy home support.

Thistle brought in Louis Thompson on the wing, and striker Scott Lewis also returned to the line-up, with only one outfield sub listed as Lewis Davidson.

Ryan McCreath had an early view of goal but his 30 yard effort trundled wide of the right post while Jamie McGowan also had to get down to make an early save from the hosts.

Good work from Dylan Stevenson down the right wing for Ardeer resulted in a deep cross which found Robert Frew but his off balance effort flew wide of the right post on 22 minutes.

A hopeful punt from Blair Devine near the halfway line was comfortably saved by the home keeper who needed to be on his guard.

George Sewell's run and cross resulted in Scott Lewis glancing a header across the face of goal and narrowly wide on 37 minutes.

At the start of the second half, Frew's low drilled cross from the left was met at the far post by Marc Wardrope whose quick-fire effort was diverted wide for a corner by the ever dependable Stuart Faulds.

On 59 minutes a clever back heel volley by Sewell obstructed an Ardeer clearance and released Lewis who turned his man only to strike the side netting on the angle.

Largs were getting more of a grip of matters and notched the opener on 61 minutes and it was good intensity from Stuart Faulds who forced a mistake from an Ardeer defender as he steamrollered through.

After dancing around a few challenges towards the right byeline, the creative midfielder had the presence of mind to cut the ball back for McCreath who lashed the ball into the back of the net from 15 yards.

 

However, Ardeer were far from finished and they went right up the park and had a few close chances as Largs were living dangerously.

Frizzell burst through on 71 minutes but was denied by a good challenge just as he was about to pull the trigger.

Substitute Davidson curled a free kick over the bar on 74 minutes as Largs attempted to put some daylight between them and Ardeer.

And Lewis was denied a penalty after he was sent tumbling in the box under a challenge but it looked like the defender got the foot to the ball first.

We had to wait till the 89th minute for the big moment of the game.

A high ball from Sewell was headed on by Frizzell and Lewis raced on to put defender Howie under pressure as they raced towards the corner flag but the Ardeer man decided to pass the ball back to the keeper.

Unfortunately for him, he chipped the ball from an acute angle into the back of the net to score one of the craziest own goals you will ever see.

The backtracking goalie elected to try and head the ball but missed and was unable to make contact as he realised he couldn't pick up as it was a pass back.

It came at an opportune time for Largs as it last finished off plucky underdogs Ardeer, and will live long in the memory even if the match itself was largely forgettable.

There was much relief as Thistle had overcome a trickier banana skin than expected, and can now look forward to a first round home clash against fellow Premier side Hurlford United.

LARGS: McGowan, Hughes, Devine, McGoldrick, McCreath, Faulds. Sewell, McBryde, Lewis, Frizzell, Thompson, Subs: Davidson, Walker (GK).