BEITH managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in this one against their bogey team, who played the last 18 minutes with 10 men to come from behind and win the points.

As Beith fight for crucial points, the goals against column in the league table tells it all, highlighting the Bellsdale side’s long-established defensive failings.

The hosts started well playing down the slope with Nicky Docherty prominent, attacking down the left wing. The youngster headed narrowly over from a McGowan corner, teed up Kenny McLean for a shot that just cleared the bar and had a decent shot saved by keeper McNeill.

Petershill were defending in numbers and Chisholm was eventually booked after committing several rash tackles and from the free-kick awarded McNeill reacted well to stop John Sheridan’s header.

However all the pressure counted for nothing when the visitors went in front from their first real attack. Beith failed to properly clear a ball into the box, allowing Daly to head on to unmarked Keiran Daw and he had time to take aim and shoot home from seven yards.

The setback clearly rocked Beith and any presence they had in midfield disappeared. Peasy should have increased their lead when Burke picked out on loan from Clyde striker Michael Daly with a fine cross but he somehow missed the target with a free header.

Peasy forwards Daly, Daw and Burke were now looking a class act and Daly had a goal bound shot blocked in a melee in the Beith box from a corner.

As was the case in the first goal, Beith drew back level against the run of play in 28 minutes when Kenny McLean picked up possession outside the box and unleashed home a brilliant shot that gave the keeper no chance.

Beith looked potent in attack and McNeill had to be sharp to stop a Darren Christie effort from 25 yards but play soon swung again to the other end where Girvan was given time to put in a cross behind the Beith defence for Daly to turn the ball home at the back post.

The hosts really should have gone in for the break at least level but from pinpoint Andy Reid crosses, first Darren Christie headed wide and then Nicky Docherty hit the post with another header with only the keeper to beat.

Beith missed another gilt-edged chance just before half0time when Kenny McLean sent Christie through one-on-one but he dallied and allowed McNeill time to make a crucial block, Beith were quick out of the traps after the interval and a fine move with McLean and Andy Reid forced a corner which Marc McShane headed narrowly over. The hosts levelled when Darren Christie pounced to shoot into the bottom corner from nine yards.

The game was turned on its head a minute later when Christie gave Beith the lead, calmly making space to shoot home from 12 yards after a McLean cross had caused panic.

Petershill continued to press and Burke missed the target with a free header and Daly had a shot blocked when he looked set to score.

There was controversy in 72 minutes when Hadden had the ball in the net before the officials combined to disallow ‘the goal’. Visiting full back Graham Girvan was then sent off after receiving a second yellow for over-zealously disputing the decision.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Peasy kept up the pressure and Adam Strain pulled off a fine save at Hadden’s feet. At the other end Paul Frize shot across the face of goal.

The visitors continued dominating midfield with Beith clinging on desperately and it was no surprise when they pulled level with nine minutes remaining. Daly out-jumped the home defence to send in a powerful header which found the net, despite Strain getting a glove to it.

Beith were desperately holding on for a point but Peasy were awarded a soft penalty when Keiran Daw tumbled in the box. Daw made no mistake from the spot to give his side the lead with five minutes left.

Beith pushed on Sean McKenna and he had a good chance to salvage a point when he burst through only for the Peasy goalie made a fine block. To round off the disappointment Beith had Sheridan sent off in the last minute for a second booking.

BEITH: Strain; Sheridan, Docherty, K MacDonald, McShane, S MacDonald, Christie, Frize, McLean, Reid, McGowan. Subs: Donnelly, Ryan, McKenna, Wilson, Kerr.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.