Larkhall beaten in battle of the Jags
Early strike takes the three points back to Largs
Larkhall Thistle slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Largs, despite creating enough chances in the last 15 minutes to merit a win.
Gordon Muir’s seventh-minute strike clinched the points for the visitors.
That also marked a third defeat in four Super First Division games, leaving Larkhall in fourth-bottom spot as they try to adjust to the step up to a higher league.
Largs created the better scoring chances in the first half, although Matty Clark lobbed over and then fired wide.
Jon Mcstay blasted wildly over before Mark Mckeever hit a low drive off the post and Ryan Innes had a shot blocked.
Mckeever kicked off the late rally with a drive that rattled the post, Innes twice had net-bound shots blocked, a Mark Canning volley was saved, and a Graham Gracie drive was held by the keeper at full stretch.
A Canning header and Clark shot were then parried by the keeper.
Manager Duncan Sinclair said: “I was very disappointed, I think we showed them too much respect in the first half.
“Losing a goal the way we did was annoying. It was a good finish by the boy but we didn’t defend it properly. We need to stop giving away silly goals.
“We tweaked things a little in the second half and went a wee bit more offensive, and I thought we went on to dominate the play.
“They were on the back-foot as the game went on and we were on the ascendency.
“I think if we had scored one we would have got another – it’s a big learning curve for us.”
Sinclair added: “That’s only one win in four games but I can’t fault the players for effort in the second half.
“We could have scored two or three goals and won the game quite comfortably.
“Now we’re at home to Rutherglen Glencairn; that’s four home games on the trot which I don’t think is right – when it comes to winter it won’t be fair on the players, with away games all the time.”
Meanwhile Wishaw slipped from second place to third in the Central First Division after losing 2-0 to Benburb, their first defeat in three league outings under new boss John Brogan, who said: “It was a disappointing result and we were unfortunate not to gain at least a point.”
It was a similarly gloomy tale for Lesmahagow, who lost 4-1 at Greenock, and Forth Wanderers, who went down 6-1 at home to Yoker.
Steven Higgins scored for ’Gow, and Willie Mclaren got the goal for Forth, who had keeper David Cherrie and Mclaren sent off.