Rob Roy fail to take their opportunities against league favourites

Rabs matched the table-toppers for long periods but just didn’t get the breaks in the 3-1 defeat on a sodden Adamslie Park pitch.

Gaffer Stewart Maxwell said: “It’s probably the most chances we’ve created in the league this season.

“We had a couple off the woodwork, a couple cleared off the line and a few good saves as well.

“Sadly, everything seemed to go against us.”

Meadow should have taken a first minute lead when McCann fastened on to a Maxwell through ball, but with only home keeper Wilson to beat he sent his effort wide of the post.

Four minutes later the visitors snatched the opener when McCann sent over a perfect cross from the right for Maxwell to send a header crashing into the Rabs net.

Rabs hit back and in the ninth minute Martin was unlucky to see his header rebound from the goal-frame.

The match developed into a midfield battle with both sides determined not to give their opponents any leeway.

Martin squandered an opportunity to square matters and fired past the post from a Sawyers pass. Minutes later Jarvis smacked the ball against the Meadow crossbar.

McGeough and Hunter came close for the home side as they took the game to their Ayrshire opponents, but lacked finishing power.

Just as it looked like Rabs were to go into the break with a one goal deficit, Meadow doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute, after McCann beat McKenzie before squaring the ball to Fraser for a simple tap in.

First chance of the second half fell to the visitors, but Darroch’s ambitious 20 yard drive was well off target.

Rabs’ Sawyers then fired past the post in a goalmouth scramble.

In the 56th minute Meadow were awarded a hotly disputed corner kick when it appeared keeper Wilson had prevented the ball from leaving play.

McCann swung over the kick, it hit the back post and went into the net to give the Irvine side a three goal cushion.

In a burst of goalmouth action, Sawyers headed over the bar before Duff had a shot blocked then scrambled clear in a crowded goalmouth.

At the other end, only a timely block by Watt stopped Halliday’s goal-bound shot.

In the 73rd minute Rabs pulled a goal back when Sawyers rose to head a McKenzie cross from the left past keeper Shephard.

Rabs were reduced to ten men in the final minute when Brogan, making his Rabs debut, was ordered off for a rash tackle, having been booked a minute earlier.

Rob Roy travel to Beechwood Park this Saturdayto take on Auchinleck Talbot.