Thistle skipper Scott Adam hopes to get back to winning ways

Thistle have slipped back to 11th spot in the Premier Division after their topsy-turvy 3-2 defeat to St Cadoc's at New Tinto Park on Saturday, where Largs led 2-0 through first half goals by Jamie Martin and Corey Hughes before wilting in the face of the home side's fightback.

Largs now turn their attentions to a happier hunting ground - Townhead Park in Cumnock, where Thistle triumphed 1-0 last season courtesy of a late David Ramsay strike.

David Ramsay celebrates winner at Cumnock last season (Image: Newsquest)

Largs did the double over the eventual Scottish Junior Cup winners last season, with Lewis Davidson's free kick the highlight of a 2-0 win at Barrfields.

But Cumnock currently lie in fifth place in the standings, and though Murdo MacKinnon's men go into the game off the back of a 4-0 derby defeat to Auchinleck at the weekend, before that the Townhead Park side had embarked on a seven-match unbeaten league run.

It's been a demanding spell for Largs of late, with Stuart Davidson's men having faced leaders Clydebank and third-top St Cadoc's away from home in their last two matches before this weekend's trip to East Ayrshire.

Looking back on the St Cadoc's defeat, Adam said: "It was quite a match and ultimately disappointing to lose; it was very much a game of two halves for us.

"We were really good in the first half, and we had a good shape, not allowing St Cadoc's to play through us. We set up to frustrate them, similarly to what we did against Clydebank. 

"We were looking comfortable but we lost a poor goal on the verge of half-time, not dissimilar to the Bankies game. 

"That settled St Cadoc's who improved after the break and scored twice in the second half to get the victory. 

"But if we look at the bigger picture, we have been on a good run, and won three out of the last four, so we just need to dust ourselves down and get ready for Saturday at Cumnock."

Adam scored the crucial third goal to secure victory for Thistle against the leaders at Holm Park on February 24 - a first win for Largs at Clydebank's home ground since 2019.

"That was quite special," he admitted. "I felt that we were due a good result against Clydebank as we have put in some good performances there over recent seasons but without reward.

"We are a very fit team and keep running to the final whistle, and put a lot of the hard yards in."

Reflecting on the goal - the result of Adam's decision to close down keeper Kieran Hughes and block his clearance, leaving the 35-year-old with a tap-in from close range - the skipper said: "I just gambled and was lucky enough to guess and managed to get in the way of the keeper as he attempted to clear the ball. It was one of my easier goals to score."

Skipper Scott Adam

Adam has recovered from his own injury niggles, but fellow forward Darryl Duffy has been struggling with a groin injury over recent weeks.

Despite Saturday's loss, Adam says he and his team-mates are looking forward to the trip to Cumnock and an attempt to match that win at Townhead last season.

"We are getting used to games on the road," he said. "This will be our fifth away game and we've only had two at home in 2024.

"We want to improve our home record too, and we have Gartcairn at home on March 16 so we will be looking to win that too.

"Gartcairn have signed a number of ex-Darvel players, and have had some good results lately, so that will be another tough one."

But, as Adam points out, Largs have been playing well too, and despite Saturday's setback, are very much up for the challenge as they look to push up the table.

"It is a very tight league," he added, and it is all down to the small details. We want to give everything at Cumnock this weekend to bounce back."

This Saturday's game at Townhead Park kicks off at 2pm.