Defeat stings against Thistle side hovering in the drop zone

Largs Thistle........... 4

Rob Roy................. 2

West of Scotland Premier Division

It was the home side who raced into an early lead when, with only five minutes on the clock, Rabs lost possession in midfield. The ball was switched to Pierce who ran through to slip the ball beyond Robertson.

Thistle should have doubled their lead seven minutes later, but Little headed wide from close range.

As the first half wore on, Rabs came more into the game and were unlucky not to snatch the leveller when – from a corner on the left – Gormley drove narrowly past the post with keeper Connick beaten.

In the 26th minute Connick denied Gormley an equaliser with an astonishing save to keep his side ahead.

Alan Lindsay curled a free-kick from the edge of the penalty box inches wide then – four minutes from half-time – Connick made a magnificent block from Gormley.

The ball was then cleared upfield to Pierce, who ran through to fire past Robertson at the second attempt.

Thistle increased their lead on the hour mark when tall defender McLaughlin rose unchallenged to head a Little corner kick past Robertson.

Rabs pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when substitute Adam Coakley turned an Alan Lindsay cross past Connick from a yard out.

He gave Rabs hope of salvaging something from the game when, two minutes later, he turned in the box before dispatching a shot into the corner of the net.

The Ayrshire side’s pace was causing constant problems for the Rabs defence and this proved to be the visitors’ downfall eight minutes from the end, when winger Robertson broke down the right wing before crossing for Struthers to head into the net to settle Thistle’s nerves.

With Largs content to sit back and defend their two-goal advantage in the final minutes, Coakley sent a snap shot just wide, then keeper Connick – who had an excellent afternoon in the Largs goal – saved from Doyle.

Rob Roy: Robertson, Doyle, Easton, Smith, A Lindsay (McBride 85), Donnelly, MacKay, J Lindsay (Fulton 63), Gormley, Diack, McAleenan, ( Coakley 63), Subs not used: Love, Trialist.

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