An equalizer deep into injury time from Largs’ longest-serving player, James Marks, salvaged a point for ten-man Thistle, in a match in which Arthurlie threw away the opportunity to move into a challenging position in the league table.

Thistle had the better of the first-half opportunities, with Ross McMillan having a header pushed onto a post by Neil Parry, and Andy Monaghan and Martin Dow both went close.
Stephen Gallagher found himself in space from a corner just before the interval, but headed well over the crossbar for what was Arthurlie’s best opportunity.

The second period was much more entertaining fare from both sides, with Joe Andrew giving Arthurlie the lead on 58 minutes with a cracking strike from the edge of the penalty area following a patient build-up involving Steven Bonar and Callan Adam. Goalkeeper Stephen Connick was keeping the visitors in the match as he denied a great effort from Sean Winter and another from Andrew. A second goal was required to kill the match off, but the Lie were denied by a combination of poor finishing, more heroics from Connick and offside calls, with Andrew subject to a debatable late offside decision after stroking home an effort following good work from Winter.

Thistle’s right winger Alan McCabe received a straight red card for lashing out at Arthurlie keeper Parry whilst chasing a loose ball, and with eight minutes remaining Lie had further chances to ensure all three points or at least close the game down.
However, they were made to pay with Marks’s late header as he was ironically unmarked at a corner at which Arthurlie’s defence switched off to claim a point for the Ayrshire men.

Arthurlie move onto next week and a trip to Kilbirnie Ladeside on league duty, kick off at Viewfield park is 2pm

Arthurlie; Neil Parry, Stephen Gallagher, Dave Williams, James Lundie, Frank McKeown, John McLay, Sean Winter, Steven Bonar, Joe Andrew, Craig Malcolm, Callan Adam; subs; Stephen Anderson, John Bradford, John Johnston, Tam Murdoch, Graham Dale, Gavin Duncan, Keiran Cannon

report Mick Hydes

Referee: Frank Connor
AR1: Craig King
AR2: Steven Johnston

Sean Winter tries to make space

Neil Parry clears the danger

Steven Bonar clips in a cross

Craig Malcolm sets up another raid

Callan Adam knocks down Steven Bonar's cross into Joe Andrew.....

Joe controls the ball and his left foot drive heads goalwards....

and flies past Steve Connick in the Largs goal

Quality stuff from Joe

Bonesy is first to congratulate Joe on his strike

Dave Williams drives down the wing

Largs boss Sandy McLean looks on

Callan Adam

Stephen Connick kept the Jags in the game with a string of top saves

James Marks gets the better of John McLay

Joe Andrew taps home Sean Winters cross

Joe can't believe he has been flagged offside

Alan McCabe gets a straight red from referee Frank Conner

Neil Parry collects under pressure

Connick just gets to the ball ahead of Joe Andrew

James Marks heads home the equalizer in the final minute

All images copyright Ed McDonald