KEVIN Lang’s 12th try of the season secured Irvine’s fourth draw on the road in a Friday night match at Dalziel, and with it safety from relegation.

That, plus a four-try bonus point, was the main success of the evening but the visitors were left to rue another failure to win on their travels, with yellow cards for Ben Auld, Blair Jardine and Michael Kirk disrupting their momentum.

Then again, the last time Irvine visited Dalziel on league duty it was the hosts who were left disappointed at not converting their pressure into points, winning a one-sided match only 6-0.

Irvine round off the season with home matches against West of Scotland – whose promotion hopes are hanging by a thread – and East Kilbride before travelling to relegation-threatened Dunfermline at the end of the month.

Dalziel jumped out to a 12-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes with tries from Cammy King and James Baxendale – the former converted by Darren Moon – bookended by a good chance for Irvine when Blair Jardine tried to play in Michael Kirk, only for his pass not to go to hand.

Irvine got on the board with two tries of their own just after the quarter, with Craig Hobson crossing on the right for an unconverted try before Alistair Maxwell applied the finish to a good handling move initiated by Ruchin Filander’s break from the kick-off reception.

Jardine’s conversion squared the match up before the cards started flying just before the half hour.

It was actually a home player, flanker Willie Steele, who was first to walk, before Ben Auld went to the bin himself for preventing a quick tap after the visitors were penalised at a scrum. Jardine followed him shortly afterwards for what referee Tom French ruled to be a tip tackle.

Irvine rode out much of the power play but Dalziel scored through Niall McKenzie just after their restoration to fifteen men – with the visitors still down to thirteen – which Moon converted to give them a 19-12 lead at the break.

Irvine seized the initiative back after their return to full strength, with Filander, Jardine, Lang and Kyle Matheson all to the fore as the tourists sliced the hosts open at will. The pressure paid off when Filander scored on one of his trademark runs to get Irvine back to 19-17.

Dalziel opened up a five-point lead with a Moon penalty after Kirk was carded for a swinging arm, but Irvine continued to look the more likely to score and it was no surprise when Lang scored with five minutes to go to level the scores for the second time.

Jardine narrowly missed the conversion, and despite more sustained pressure from the visitors in the closing minutes, Lang’s try proved to be the end of the scoring.

Irvine head coach Jim Barrie said afterwards: “There was some great interplay at times, while at other times we were quite naive. Neither side will be particularly happy with their defence as both were able to break through easily.

“If we can just be more accurate in our finishing, support the ball carrier better and improve our defensive line, we should get back to winning ways.” s For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.