McBookie Ayrshire District League

GIRVAN 2

ARDEER THISTLE 2

TENACIOUS Thistle came from two goals down to claim a draw away to promotion challengers Girvan in an all-action game at Hamilton Park.

The visitors started awfully and Girvan found themselves two up within 13 minutes. Chris Allan got both, firstly scoring with an exceptional 25 yard free-kick into the top corner. His second was more fortunate - a dangerous in-swinging corner was seemingly going to be collected unchallenged by Ardeer keeper Paul McCann but he somehow spilled the ball and although there was some debate about whether it actually crossed the line before being reclaimed by the veteran stopper, referee Drew Kirkland awarded the goal.

Girvan were completely dominant throughout the first half hour and could have scored more goals.

Midfielder Tony Murphy hit the post with a fine effort from outside the box before a team-mate hit the crossbar with a header from an Allan corner, with the rebound then being cleared off the line by an Ardeer defender.

Allan had two chances to secure a first half hat-trick but just failed to meet a square ball at the back post and then shot wide when played in by a cheeky back-heel.

Ardeer looked on course for a thrashing, but eventually reduced the deficit in 36 minute,s when an an attack down the right culminated in a cross being played to the unmarked Gareth Armstrong in the box, who sent an acrobatic volley finished past Steven Douglas.

A minute after the break Steven Tan was blatantly fouled in the box and Scott Reid, making his first appearance since last October, made no mistake from the resultant penalty.

There were chances aplenty for both teams,

Andy Thomson’s 25-yarder flashed wide for Ardeer and there was then another moment of controversy as the visitors believed they had taken the lead.

Stephen Reid tried to finish off an attack with a speculative lob past Douglas and the effort bounced before striking the upright, the ball at the very least rolling along the goal-line before Douglas collected it. However, referee Kirkland was in not in a position where he could see whether it was a goal, and with no official linesman present, he indicated play had to continue. Stephen Reid then came close again, knocking the ball over the bar from an Armstrong header, James Maxwell taking a fine first touch and constructing some good play on the left flank to set up the chance.

Girvan had chances of their own, the clearest of these coming when Murphy missed an absolute sitter, blasting over the bar at the back post when it looked easier to score.

Jordan Bruce then had a golden opportunity for Ardeer, heading wide from substitute Mark McCann’s cross. At the other end, Thistle defender Gary Nugent reacted quickly and deflected a goalbound shot off the upright to maintain parity.

Late on Jamie Donnelly and Scott Reid both came close to grabbing a winner with headers, Donnelly’s being parried away and Reid’s going over the bar.

However, neither team could score again before the final whistle with the end result a spirited draw.