McBookie Super League Premier Division

ARTHURLIE 3

IRVINE MEADOW 2

CARELESS Meadow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory after blowing a two-goal lead to leave them anchored in bottom spot and in grave danger of relegation.

The game was billed as a six pointer and given both sides' position before the game it was just that although it must be said it was one that Irvine Meadow couldn’t afford to lose.

They made a blistering start but failed to cash in on other chances and were made to pay the price.

Meadow fielded new signing Ryan McGarry - previously with Blantyre Vics and St Roch's. He played well despite suffering a foot injury early on and bravely agreed to continue before having to limp off at half-time.

With many supporters still making their way into the ground Meadow were awarded a free kick which ex Lie midfielder Ryan Deas swung into the penalty area for Kevin Rutkiewicz to head home with barely 30 seconds on the clock. Things got even better for Meadow as just over a minute later as Ryan Deas turned finisher when he got on the end of an Adam Strachan cut back to double the visiting side's advantage.

Smith had a chance to reduce the deficit in eight minutes but shot weakly straight at Dan Tobin. Then minutes later the same player headed just over the bar.

Arthurlie were pushing to get a foothold in the game now and great interplay between Gary Carroll and Conner McGlinchey down the right flank saw the former send over a low cross that Smith connected with forcing Tobin into a great save/.

Meadow came so close in 25 minutes when Chris Wilson's 25-yard free-kick crashed off the post and rebounded to safety.

Ten minutes later Smith had an effort cleared off the line at the other end before Darren Gribben fired the rebound straight at Tobin. With the first half drawing to an end Arthurlie had a couple of penalty claims while Deas went close again but Meadow went into the break 2-0 ahead.

Into the second half and Arthurlie were given a glimmer of hope when Smith rose to head home a Gribben free=kick 12 minutes in. Smith went close again soon after when Tobin had to be at full stretch to touch the Barrhead forward's effort past for a corner.

With three minutes remaining, 'Lie levelled when captain Ryan McGregor slid the ball home.

Not content with a point Arthurlie continued to pour forward against the now shell-shocked visitors but disaster struck right on full-time Smith stepped up and hit a super free- kick past Tobin to send the visiting players and fans home in despair.

IRVINE MEADOW: Tobin; Girvan, Wilson, Evans. Rutkiewicz, McGarry, S McCann, Murch, Maxwell. Deas, Strachan. Subs: Bolton, Halliday, Hall, McPherson, Shepherd.