Largs Thistle beat Arthurlie as Will Sewell scores winner

Will Sewell scored the winning goal in the 87th minute to end a winless league run stretching back to the end of October.

It's the second year running Thistle have won by the odd goal in three in Barrhead - but this time Thistle and their supporters were put through the ringer before Stuart Davidson's men finally emerged on top.

Celebration time! (Image: Newsquest)

The game got off to a slow start, with few chances of note until Arthurlie took the lead on 22 minutes, when Dylan Dykes swept the ball home after a low cross into the box was only partially cleared.

But Thistle responded  with a quick fire equaliser only two minutes later, when ex-Rangers frontman Darryl Duffy's near post header from Lewis Davidson's cross nestled into the top left corner of the net.

Arthurlie then had the woodwork to thank for stopping Largs from going ahead from a deflected Davidson free kick on the left.

Joe Wilton then made a splendid save at full reach as Arthurlie looked to get back in front before the interval.

But the game erupted five minutes before the break when a melee developed on the touchline - and it was Duffy who was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, with an Arthurlie player also shown a yellow card despite a Largs player appearing to be pushed to the ground in a similar-looking offence. 

Manager Stuart Davidson chose to gamble by keeping three strikers on the pitch, with David Ramsay coming off the bench to join Sewell and Scott Adam - and it was a move that, eventually, paid dividends.

But it meant Largs had to be on top of their game at the back - and Wilton, in his first game back after a long injury lay-off, was particularly effective with three fine saves - on one occasion coming off his line for a one-on-one and spreading himself in front of an Arthurlie attacker.

Stuart Davidson and Sean McLeod (Image: Newsquest)

Some tackles were flying in, and Largs were particularly aggrieved that midfielder Stuart Faulds, who is a PE teacher in Barrhead, was booked despite an excellent tackle to win the ball.

Sewell had a great opening as he raced down the right channel, but he opted to pass rather than shoot and mistakenly passed to an Arthurlie player.

Largs had appeals for a penalty waved away after Davidson's free kick from the right was deflected goalwards into the hands of the Arthurlie keeper amid claims for handball.

And with three minutes left the visitors and their supporters were sent into raptures when Adam won possession before holding off his man on the left and setting up Ramsay, whose low ball across the face of goal was blasted home at the back post by Sewell - sparking wild celebrations in the Largs camp.

Wilton had to make some smart catches as Arthurlie pressed forward in stoppage time in search of an equaliser, but Largs defended well to see out the game.

However, the final whistle sparked more acrimonious scenes - and this time an Arthurlie player did see red as players from both sides jostled at the end of the game. 

This was a gusty win for Thistle at a venue that is always tough for visiting teams - and the focus on pushing forward, and the real will to win, could be a launchpad for the second half of their campaign as Davidson's men bid to shrug off the disappointment of their pre-Christmas cup exits by climbing the Premier Division table.

LARGS: Wilton, McGrath, McMaster, McCreath, Hughes, Faulds, McLeod, Davidson, Sewell, Duffy, Lapsley. Subs: Adam, Devine, Martin, Ramsay, Cumming, Zalewski (GK).

Next up for Largs is another big game when Pollok come to Barrfields on Saturday, July 20.

Kick-off is at 1.30pm.