Largs Thistle 0, Darvel 2

Mis-firing Thistle lost out to second placed Darvel in a tale of two penalties on Saturday as the East Ayrshire side won comfortably at Barrfields.

Neither team had any real period of domination - but getting shots on target proved to be the biggest stumbling block with neither keeper really having anything to do.

It certainly didn't live up to the billing as one of the matches of the day in the Premier League.

Largs were going into this game with full confidence after four straight wins while Darvel were looking to re-establish their faltering title charge after a few costly defeats but gained a much needed win at Pollok - and backed that up by sealing three points at Barrfields courtesy of a penalty apiece in each half.

As for Largs, midfielder David McGrath made his long awaited return to the midfield after having been kept out for most of the season with a heel injury during Thistle's second home game of the season against Rob Roy.

Skipper Scott Adam retained his position upfront with new signing Will Sewell.

Some early pressure from Darvel resulted in a corner kick which resulted in a free header in the box from Cameron Eadie which whizzed wide of the right post.

Chances may have been at a premium but one thing the game was not short of was feisty challenges and Laurie McMaster went down early after a collision with ex-Motherwell and Morton defender Craig Moore.

Thistle did enjoy some pressure on the Darvel goal but Adam thumped over on 27 minutes while Sewell challenged the keeper for a header and the ball was cleared during one attacking move.

Darvel were awarded a spot kick on 40 minutes after a challenge by Cory Hughes - but Largs bitterly protested as they felt McGrath was fouled in the build-up but to no avail and Eadie drilled home the spot kick to the bottom left corner.


It was frustrating to be losing at half-time after such a non-descript first half but Darvel doubled their advantage after being awarded another penalty kick, and this time there was no complaint from Thistle as Ryan McCreath was adjudged to have fouled in the box and putting off the striker as he screwed wide.

Moore confidently blazed home the spot kick to the bottom left corner of the net on 57 minutes.


A minute later and Sewell was through on goal at the other end with his electric pace but fired over with the goal at his mercy. 

Darvel were reduced to ten men on 70 minutes as their first penalty scorer, Eadie, was given a straight red as a number of feisty challenges continued to cause acrimony between both sides - but Largs were unable to make their extra man count, despite bringing on a raft of subs.

Both Jamie Martin, and Scott Lewis, who scored twice in the reverse fixture to beat Darvel 2-1, squandered good openings with more shots flashing past.

Thistle now have three weeks to get back into gear after a very underwhelming display where they never really got going. In the main both defences were on top but both goalkeepers - other than the spot kicks - had very little to do apart from catching crosses and some corners to attend to.

There was no shortage of graft, but there was certainly no end product - and it was a game which almost defied belief given Largs lost by two goals despite the absence of any shots on target for either side.

Largs now have five games left and need to rediscover their mojo after their string of recent impressive displays - with some tough home games to come including Hurlford, Auchinleck and Pollok, while trips to Rob Roy and Kilwinning, both of whom are scrapping for their lives, will provide stern challenges.

LARGS: McGowan, McLeod, McMaster, Hughes, McCreath, Faulds, McGrath, Davidson, Ramsay, Adam, Sewell. Subs: McBryde, Martin, McGoldrick, Lewis, Devine, Tennant, Walker (GK)