Newmains United 3 Ardeer Thistle 0

McBookie League Two

NEWMAINS UNITED 3

ARDEER THISTLE 0

A MAKESHIFT Ardeer line-up, hit by player departures and late call-offs, gave it their all against Newmains but their well-organised hosts eventually ran out comfortable winners.

The visitors, with Derek Frye, assisting them on the sidelines, had six of their previous week's starting 11 in the line-up with Kwaku Nyame, Franny Kilpatrick and Kian Murdoch returning to the starting 11, while Jamie Allan made his first start and Richard Hay debuted in midfield.

The early stages were rather even, although Ardeer didn't threaten Newmains goalie Gordon Bruce as Kilpatrick shot over from 30 yards and Hay saw his effort go off target from a Kilpatrick cross. At the other end William McGlone volleyed over from a throw in and Paul Donaghy's free-kick was saved by Martin Johnston.

As the half progressed, the home side who looked the far more likely to open the scoring, and came close when Liam McCafferty's free-kick struck the crossbar. Ardeer caretaker Blair Gilmour did well to block a Craig Scott effort for a corner but the Newmains defender was not to be denied from the resultant set-piece, heading in from Marc Howson's cross.

Ardeer had their first good chance to score shortly after the break, Kwaku Nyame testing Jordan Bruce at his near post when he probably should have squared the ball to a team-mate.

However, the hosts still had control and should have scored their second but Donaghy shot wide from a long pass when it was easier to hit the target.

There were a couple of controversial incidents in the Ardeer penalty area thereafter as Johnston was penalised for an unintentional handball outside the area, when it looked as though the ball was still in the box, and latterly when Newmains' David Ross appeared to elbow Murdoch as the hosts prepared to take a free-kick, receiving a caution for the offence.

The visitors fought but never truly looked like scoring, although Bruce was called upon to deny Hay from a deflected Nyame effort. As Ardeer tired, Newmains confirmed their victory late on with their third goal when substitute Adam Robertson netted after a cross was cleared into his path.

ARDEER THISTLE: Johnston; Murdoch, Beveridge, Gilmour, Smith, Hay, McKay, Ewing, Allan, Kilpatrick, Nyame. Sub: Trialist.