McBookie Super League Premier Division

KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 0

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1

WITH injuries and suspensions mounting up, a makeshift Ladeside team were narrowly beaten by Auchinleck at Valefield.

Kilbirnie had the better of the opening period and Johnstone cut inside and slipped the ball to Adam Forde but his shot from 18 yards was saved by Andy Leishman.

A minute later Johnstone sent in a curling effort from 20 yards which Leishman again saved comfortably. In 16 minutes Wilson's cross found Keir Milliken but his effort was blocked by Ciaran Donnelly.

Ladeside kept pressing and good play by Kyle Rafferty found Johnstone who set up Forde but his powerful effort was blocked. Kilbirnie should have taken the lead two minutes later when a Mark Staunton free-kick went long but Forde drove the ball back across goal for Green who miskicked in front of goal.

Talbot broke the deadlock on 35 mins with their only first half effort on goal. A quick throw-in to Wilson caught the Ladeside defence napping and as the ball fell to McCracken who smashed home a shot from 25 yards.

The visitors came close at the start of the second half when a McCracken header went just over from close range.

A Bryan Young free-kick for Talbot was headed just wide by Dwayne Hyslop before Rafferty fired a free-kick wide past from 30 yards.

Wilson then cut inside but he fired his effort over the bar. Good play between Young and Milliken saw the latter cross for Wilson but he headed over the bar from seven yards.

Ladeside had a shout for a penalty when Smith was pulled back right on the edge of the box but a free-kick was awarded just outside the box.

Kilbirnie were reduced to 10 men a minute into stoppage time when Haxton received a second yellow card for dissent after earlier being booked. With three league games left Kilbirnie are still struggling at the wrong end of the table.