Trophy holders Beith see their reign end

BEITH JUNIORS 0

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1

SCOTTISH Cup masters Auchinleck dumped the holders out of this seasons competition with a controversial last minute winner at Bellsdale to break the deadlock.

The visitors, with the slope advantage, tested the Beith defence early doors, launching two free-kicks into the box without any success.

The hosts then began to ask some questions themselves with Paul Frize getting forward to support Ross McPherson with the latter firing a snapshot over the bar and just failing to get a touch on a dangerous Paul Frize driven cross.

Conor McGlinchey was also driving forward and he won his side a penalty in 11 minuted when Willie Lyle brought him down with a late challenge when he knocked the ball past him in the box. However Darren Christie missed the chance to give Beith the lead when Andy Leishman touched his effort wide.

The contest settled mainly into a midfield tussle with genuine chances few and far between. Talbot won most balls in the air while Jamie Wilson led the way for Beith with some great challenges on the deck.

Young got a shot away in a Talbot attack but it was diverted for a corner while at the other end good quick interplay between McPherson and Christie ended with the former zipping in a decent shot but a yard wide. On the half hour a dangerous Beith corner was cleared as far as Jamie Wilson but his powerful drive went inches over the bar.

Talbot then had a spell of possession and a good move in off the right wing was halted by a MacDonald foul just outside the box. However Graham Wilson's effort from the free kick was deflected for a corner.

As the interval approached, Lyle atoned by making a crucial challenge for Talbot in his own box to clear when a blocked Conor McGlinchey shot landed at Ross McPherson's feet.

The contest continued in a similar fashion after the restart with Talbot persisting with the high defensive line that had restricted Beith and squeezing the action into a midfield battle with Beith's Jamie Wilson and Talbot's Steven Wilson the main protagonists.

McGlinchey put in a fine cross to the back post but out of form David McGowan got no power on his volley and it went safely into the keepers arms. At the other end Graham Wilson outmuscled Kevin McDonald to earn himself a shooting opportunity but he blazed his shot over the bar.

Beith were failing to make the impact expected with the slope advantage but they missed a good opportunity when Mak McLaughlin found room at a corner to get in a header but he failed to hit the target and his effort flew over the bar.

The hosts made changes to try to find openings and Calum Watt zipped a tempting cross along the six-yard line but found no takers. Minutes later Andy Leishman produced a great quick reaction save to palm away a net bound Mark McLaughlin overhead kick as Beith pressed.

As time wore on it looked increasingly likely that a replay was going to be needed, particularly after substitute Steven White hooked his shot wide of the target after centre back Boyle headed a free kick on in the box with 5 minutes to go.

The big talking point duly arrived in 89 minutes when Steven Wilson collected a ball pushed up the right wing. Everyone stopped, including Wilson anticipating an offside decision which never came.

Stevie Wilson eventually sped on an might actually have overhit the ball but he was knocked over by already committed Stephen Grindlay who collected a gashed chin from Wilson's boot for his trouble. Brother Graham was entrusted with the spot kick and he made no mistake finding the net.

Beith had only enough time to get in one real attack and the game ended soon after a Frize shot was blocked.

On the day there was little to choose between the two sides and history will tell a tale of two penalties.

Talbot again showed that they can dig deep in a tight situation and grind out results and clearly were up for this one.

For Beith the spotlight will now turn to their league aspirations and their mettle will be tested fully with a forthcoming local derby against Kilbirnie.

Outstanding midfielder Wilson showed his team mates how it is done but unfortunately several didn't produce anywhere near their A game when it was required.

BEITH: Grindlay; MacDonald, McMenamin, McLaughlin, Sheridan, Wilson, McGlinchey, Frize, McPherson, Christie, McGowan. Subs: McLean, Watt, Collins, Burke, Martin.