Dalry Thistle secure a point away to St Roch's

ST ROCH'S 1

DALRY THISTLE 1

DETERMINED Dalry made the trip to Royston looking to maintain their unbeaten start in the league.

They started brightly, making inroads on the St Roch's goal from the start. Ian Cashmore was through on goal in eight minutes, only to see his shot go past the goalie and slither inches wide.

The hosts started to work their way into the game with a few shots from distance comfortably dealt with by the impressive visiting goalie Blair Lochhead.

The breakthrough came in 13 minutes when some lovely link-up play involving Cashmore, Jamie Anderson and Mark Archdeacon worked an opening in the home penalty area and the ball broke to Kieran Oliver, who slotted home to the delight of a decent travelling support.

As the half wore on the hosts started to get a lot of the ball but the Dalry back four marshalled superbly by the outstanding Lewis Kirkwood were more than a match for them.

The second half started with the home side more on the front foot and they forced Lochhead into a superb stop from a close range header when he stuck out a left hand to divert the ball away. Dalry then had a chance when a 20 yard free-kick from Archdeacon was parried away by the home goalie.

Lochhead produced the save of the match in 59 minutes. A free-kick from 25 yards deflected off the wall and the spin on the ball diverted it towards the corner of the net, but somehow the Dalry keeper threw himself across his goal to save.

Dalry were starting to tire as the game wore on and direct balls up to Cashmore weren’t sticking. The home side got what on balance of play in the second half was a deserved equaliser when a clever ball over the top of the Thistle back four as volleyed home from eight yards.

A red card for the St Roch's right-back in an 88th minute melee did little to alter the game and Dalry had Lochhead again to thank for another top save deep into added time.

All in all though reigning District League champions Dalry will be content with the draw which keeps up their solid unbeaten start to the new campaign.