Sewell on the spot for Largs in victory over Rob Roy

A penalty kick from Will Sewell was enough to separate the sides on Saturday at Barrfields Park as Largs recorded their third home victory in a row.

Largs have now moved up to the top half of the table thanks to this valuable victory which sees them sitting in eighth spot in the ultra competitive West of Scotland Premier League, on 35 points.

Rob Roy, sitting 13th, were much in need of the points in their battle against the drop, and came into this match with their tails up, having been unbeaten in March with a record including an impressive South Challenge Cup quarter final win at Troon, as well as draws against Glenafton and Irvine Meadow.

Remarkably, this was the first meeting between both Largs and Rob Roy this season, and it was the hosts who got off to a positive start, with top scorer Sewell coming close to prising out the first opportunity after only five minutes.

In a tangle: Will Sewell requires two defenders to keep close watch (Image: Largs Thistle FC)

The sharp shooter blazed into the box to receive a cross, but just missed contact and the ball was cleared by the visitors.

Sewell was again nearly on the end of a well created move as a one-two with Blair Devine on 37 minutes nearly reaped dividends, but again the Rabs defence managed to clear the danger.

Lewis Davidson sticks a dangerous free kick into the penalty box (Image: Largs Thistle FC)

And two minutes later, the Kirkintilloch side had a good opening, but blasted over the bar, much to the relief of the Thistle support.

A red card on 41 minutes saw Rob Roy lose a defender as Kevin Green was given his marching orders, and Sewell stepped up to score the resulting penalty kick, taking his personal tally for the season to 20 goals and giving Largs the perfect boost going into half-time.

Penalty gain: Largs Thistle make it 1-0 courtesy of Sewell on the spot (Image: Largs Thistle FC)

Manager Stuart Davidson made some changes on 70 minutes as David Ramsay and Jamie Martin both entered the fray to replace Blair Devine and Liam Lapsley, and skipper Scott Adam replaced last week's two goal hero Darryl Duffy for the final nine minutes of regulation time.

With only one goal in it, the match produced a lively finale, with chances for both sides; again Rob Roy failed to show composure in the box as another shot went flying over the bar as the Thistle defence continued to stifle out the opposition.

Ramsay also got into a dangerous position in the box, but his effort was deflected wide as Largs sought the goal that would kill off the game..

Thistle managed to see it out to secure another important home win to add to the victories over Irvine Meadow and Gartcairn at Barrfields in recent weeks.

Laurie McMaster was voted man of the match (Image: Largs Thistle FC)

Significantly, it was also another clean sheet for Largs, their second in three home games, with the ever-dependable Laurie McMaster being selected by Thistle's supporters as man of the match.

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