alry; Watson, Hunter, C McGowan Junior, Reid, C McGowan Senior, Marshall, McLaughlin, Boyd, Stewart, Hood, Cummings. Subs Morrison, Lavery, Burns

McBookie Ayrshire District League

DALRY THISTLE 2

ANNBANK UNITED 2

THIS was a real under- par performance from Dalry, but they still should have won the game.

Dalry got off to the best possible start. The Annbank defence gifted the opening goal in only our minutes when a header back to the trialist keeper was too strong and went past him. The resultant rush to get the ball on the line was won by Chris McGowan jnr, who bundled the ball in to give Dalry the early lead.

The immediate response from Annbank was a header which went just wide.

In 15 minutes Stewart head flicked the ball on for Mark Hood but his shot was too weak and a great chance was missed.

The next chance was a shot from Stewart which was saved.

After the first half hour Annbank started to apply some pressure on the home side but they were restricted to a couple of long range shots.

They did however draw level in 43 minutes. The ball was played into the box and despite striker Paterson looking at least a yard offside, he turned the ball into the net.

There was time before the break for a shot from McGowan Junior to go just wide.

Into the second half and the opening action saw a curling shot from Stewart go just wide.

Then in 52 minutes Annbank took the lead. A cross came in and Simpson was given too much time to connect with the header.

Dalry bounced back and a 30-yard free-kick from McLaughlin was touched over the bar by the keeper.

On the hour Dalry made changes, taking off Kyle Cummings and Craig Marshall and sending on Greg Morrison and Shaun Lavery.

McLaughlin chased down a ball that looked to be heading out, catching it on the line. However there was no one there to take advantage of the cross.

Dalry were making hard work of it. A long range shot from McGowan Junior went over and then a Hood shot looked to be blocked by an arm and there were strong claims for a penalty. McLaughlin turned his marker but he shot wide.

With time running out manager Gavin Friels sent centre back Chris McGowan snr upfront.

A long free-kick was sent into the crowded Annbank box and a header from McGowan snr was touched over by the keeper.

From the resultant corner it was McGowan snr who got a head on the ball and scored to make it 2-2 with 91 minutes played.

And it was so close to being the perfect comeback when in 93 minutes a Reid shot deflected off a defender, but came off the post and went out.

The last action of the game saw McLaughlin collect his second yellow card for a silly foul and he was shown the red.

Dalry made hard work of the match by being below the standard they have set over the last few games.

DALRY THISTLE: Watson; Hunter, C McGowan jnr, Reid, C McGowan snr, Marshall, McLaughlin, Boyd, Stewart, Hood, Cummings. Subs: Morrison, Lavery, Burns.