Auchinleck 3 Largs Thistle 0


A controversial moment in the first half of this game saw Largs Thistle have a goal ruled out due to offside.
Midway through the first half, David Ramsay had the ball in the back of the net but the linesman put his flag up after a defender had headed the ball back towards goal and Ramsay had intercepted to run in and score. A new ruling meant that Ramsay was still deemed to be in an offside position was deemed offside as the defender had 'deflected' the ball back to the keeper as he was not fully under control of it.
Largs manager Stuart Davidson said: "I have seen these goals given on the tv, and sometimes they're not. I had a bit of sympathy for the referee on this one as it is a difficult ruling but it was frustrating to miss out."
In the first half, Largs had played well and Thistle keeper Jamie McGowan made an incredible triple save to keep Talbot out but the Barrfields side also had a couple of chances as well.
However, it was a disappointing second half as the game was killed off in a horror two minute spell.
Mason opened the scoring for Talbot on 58 minutes, and then Largs got involved in some headed play between midfield and defence and a Talbot forward Ross Taylor nipped in to add a second goal on 59 minutes.
Thistle boss Stuart Davidson felt the players didn't take responsibility when the ball was played through and some naivety crept into play.
He said: "We need to grow up and learn fast and take responsibility as I think we were a bit shellshocked after conceding the first goal and we didn't react well immediately after that and Talbot will always punish you in that situation."
Thistle still played some good football and created some chances with Ramsay and Lewis going close, and the return of Sean McLeod as dangerman on the wing setting up chances.
But Talbot put the game well and truly to bed on 83 minutes as Samson took advantage of some hesitancy at the back to rush through and score.
Boss Davidson said: "It is about game management - and I told the players - what kind of team do you want to be? A team like in the first half who showed that some touches and some nice moves where people will say 'Largs are not a bad team' - or like the team in the second half?
"I know people would not expect us to go and get something at Auchinleck but I did as we have shown we can pick up points at difficult places like Darvel and Glenafton this season, we need to toughen up and be more resilient and keep focus to make sure we don't get punished the way we did. We can't pick and choose when to turn up and we need a strong mentality going forward and we require wins as the games are now stacking up."