Largs Thistle 1 Beith 3
(Game abandoned in stoppage time)

There was a dramatic finish to this encounter at Barrfields Park as the referee abandoned this game during stoppage time.

It was highly competitive encounter with both sides creating chances - and the match was very much on tenterhooks with Thistle chasing an equaliser as Beith searched for a goal to put the game beyond doubt.

A 93rd minute clincher for Beith looked to have settled the outcome of this match beyond doubt to put the visitors 3-1 up.

However, a flare up developed - and red cards were dished out to both Largs manager Stuart Davidson and Beith boss Chris Strain - as referee Calum Haswell abandoned the game.

Largs opened the match with new signing Jamie Martin immediately installed in midfield after joining from Irvine Meadow to replace the suspended Stuart Faulds. Cory Hughes also returned to the defensive line-up.

Both sides fought out a memorable cup encounter earlier in the season with Largs getting a last gasp winner to triumph 4-3 at Bellsdale Park, and then Thistle lost out 4-1 in a controversial league encounter at Beith which two questionable spot-kicks awarded against Thistle.

This was Thistle's first home game in two months and there was a good turnout to cheer on the side as a minute's applause was held in memory of the late Derek Scott - the match secretary and long serving stalwart of the club.

It was a feisty start to the encounter which saw Beith hit the post after 15 minutes, but it was Largs who notched the opener on 21 minutes.

Simon McBryde linked up well with John Tennant on the right hand side who delivered a dangerous cross into the box which was met by Alan Frizzell to finish off the move with a neat finish into the corner of the net.

Beith were starting to put some steady pressure on Largs and had two free kicks from outside the box which went close.

It was to be a warning sign for Largs as the visitors notched the equaliser from another dead piece with Connor McGlinchey smashing the ball home on 34 minutes.

It was pretty even at half-time but Beith came out the traps well at the start of the second half and managed to get an early advantage.

It was a long ball which unsettled the Largs backline as Cory Hughes and Beith's Andy Monk battled for possession with the latter winning through to convert with a beautiful strike which gave keeper Jamie McGowan no chance.

Thistle brought on sub Sean McLeod as they tried to get back into the game and created a number of chances with McLeod sending an effort across goal, and Scott Lewis also going close and forcing the Beith keeper into a save.

With the game very competitive and closely fought, it was Beith who were able to hammer home their advantage with a crucial third goal which had seemingly put the game to bed with a breakaway goal scored by Josh Fowler.

Beith were heading to the top of the table after scoring their third goal of the afternoon in stoppage time as they ran over towards the Largs dugout to celebrate.

But the match was brought to an abrupt finish as there were heated exchanges and the referee abandoned the match following the dismissal of both Strain and Davidson to bring the game to a dramatic ending.

THISTLE:McGowan, Tennent, Devine, Hughes, McCreath, Davidson, Martin, McBryde, Ramsey, Frizzell, Lewis. Subs: McMaster, McLeod, Thompson, Trialist, Walker (GK).