Budget Blinds Premier League

DIRRANS ATHLETIC 1

SHORTLEES 2

THIS was a great advert for the amateur game with two teams going for the three points.

Dirrans started well and didn't let Shortlees play.

Some great play down the left hand side from John Pirie and Brian Strain saw Calvin Smith come close. Then great work from Ross McManus saw Pirie almost score.

Shortlees started to get at Dirrans and a cross was headed home to give them the lead.

Pirie then did well to get in on goal but his shot was cleared on the line.

A Strain corner-kick was cleared to Graeme Muir whose shot was again cleared off the line. Finally Dirrans got what they deserved when Strain put in a great cross for fellow full-back Gavin Hynard to head home.

Shortlees started the second half much better and put Dirrans on the back foot. They took the lead when a strike from the edge of the box was only palmed out to an onrushing visiting player to stroke the ball home.

With 20 minutes, Shortlees were reduced to 10 men when a deliberate handball stopped Smith racing clear

This didn't really affect the game with the East Ayrshire side using their experience to grind out the three points.

Dirrans put in a lot of effort and deserved a point a good hard fought game.