McBookie Premiership

LARGS THISTLE 1

KILWINNING RANGERS 1

Report by Drew Cochrane

TEN men Thistle - after keeper Blair Cousar was sent off - battled for a point against one of the Premier League favourites, Kilwinning at Barrfields Park last Saturday.

It was a determined, brave display by Largs who, in recent games, had lost narrowly to the Buffs but fully deserved their first point at home.

In the end, it came down to two controversial penalties, converted at either end in the final 20 minutes of a no-holds barred contest.

With new signing, Marc Millar, in midfield alongside Ayr United loanee Stuart Faulds, Thistle drove forward to try to get an early goal. Speedy winger Ben Black had a shot blocked by keeper Adam Strain, who also turned away a Faulds strike for a corner, and then Kevin Struthers swivelled and drove narrowly past the target.

Buffs wasted no time in breaking forward themselves with wingers Ryan Nisbet and Carlo Monti taking on the home defence. In a busy spell they forced a series of corners at the Largs end and could have scored when striker Bryan Boylan headed inches wide from a Michael Wardrope cross.

Wardrope, nephew of former Largs keeper Michael, caught the eye for the visitors as did ex-Dumbarton man Gary Fleming.

However, just on half-time John Carter sent a half-chance for Thistle wide.

On chances alone, Largs should have been ahead but Struthers missed after a great move by Faulds, and teenager Black lobbed wide from a Carter opening.

The late drama began in 72 minutes when Monti burst into the box and keeper Cousar was adjudged to have made a last man foul challenge. Not only was it a penalty but the Largs goalie was sent off. Substitute keeper Sean Graham came on in place of Carter but was beaten from the spot by Tommy Maitland.

Down to 10 men for the second Saturday in a row Largs fought back. A brilliant move involving Muir, Struthers and Millar saw Black's shot saved by the keeper. However, the winger dribbled his way into the box again only to be fouled by defender Joe Coleman, who was yellow-carded for conceding the penalty which Struthers despatched to the back of the net in his usual, authoritative manner.

Buffs, with the extra man, charged at Thistle for the final 10 minutes but goalie Graham made two important saves to keep the sides level.

LARGS THISTLE: Cousar, Orr, McMaster, Little, Jamieson; Millar, Muir, Faulds, Struthers, Carter, Black. Subs: Graham, Harkins, Gilbride, Fleming, Ewing.

KILWINNING RANGERS: Strain; Coleman, McCloskey, Maitland, Pettigrew; McGuinness, Monti, Fleming, Boylan, Wardrope, Nisbet. Subs: Whyte, Lewis, Hill, McKenzie. Curragh.