McBookie Super League First Division

IRVINE MEADOW 0

RENFREW 1

By Stewart McConnell

LETHARGIC Meadow's promotion hopes bit the dust as they fell to defeat against the mid-table visitors.

The home side never really going as they slumped to their second defeat inside three days following the loss at Shotts.

Renfrew came close in seven minutes when Fraser Barbour shot high and wide from just outside the box.

Meadow were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box in 11 minutes when Jared Willet was tripped on the edge of the box by Kieran Healy, but the resultant set-piece from Chris McKnight was straight into the arms of goalkeeper Dale Burgess.

At the other end in 13 minutes a close range shot from Chris Zok was well saved by Shaun Newman. Barely a minute later, the home goalie saved a strong effort from Paddy O'Keefe.

Medda spurned another opportunity in 23 minutes when Ben Carson saw his 12-yard effort well saved by Burgess.

McKnight sent a superb through ball over the top of the defence to Ben Black, whose strong effort from 10 yards in 40 minutes produced a fine one-handed save from Burgess.

Meadow were denied what looked a fair penalty claim in 44 minutes when a Jared Willet cross looked to be handled by Fraser Barbour.

Good work by Conor Browning won Meadow a corner a minute after the break but it came to nothing.

However a great three-man move gave 'Frew the lead in 62 minutes as Healy found Scott Morton and he set up O'Keefe to roll the ball home from eight yards.

At the other end a Carson free-kick from 25 yards was well saved two minutes later.

In 75 minutes strong volley from Zok was turned round the post by Newman.

Renfrew were reduced to 10 men in 81 minutes when Anthony Heffron was sent off for a second yellow card.

Graeme Barbour sent a header wide from the edge of the box a minute later as the visitors held out to win.