McBookie Championship

DARVEL 1

DALRY THISTLE 1

DALRY visited Darvel in the first game of the New Year and an entertaining tussle saw them gain a deserved point despite a man disadvantage for 53 minutes.

The game started in scrappy fashion with neither side able to gain the upper hand. Darvel, managed by former Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Irvine Meadow boss Chris Strain, were trying to push forward but Thistle were dangerous on the counter. The Darvel number eight had the first sight of goal in eight minutes but his weak shot was easily dealt with by Marc Fisher. A brilliant defensive header by Chris McGowan in 15 minutes stopped the hosts breaking the deadlock.

In 18 minutes Dalry took the lead after a free-kick was swung in and brilliantly glanced home by Jordan Stuart. Darvel began to push forward and in 22 minutes a scramble in the Dalry area saw Fisher make a block and the defence scramble it off the line.

Then in 31 minutes the hosts struck the outside of the post and Thistle went straight up the other end and the home keeper made a quite brilliant stop as the number seven strode through and attempted a cute lob. Dalry would rue that miss six minutes later as a clash in the area saw the referee point to the spot and Lewis Kirkwood see red. The home number four made no mistake from the spot.

Darvel came out after the break on the front foot and had a shot sail a foot over the bar on their first attack. The home number 11 then missed a gilt-edged opportunity to put his side in front. Fisher made two outstanding blocks within 30 seconds.

The impressive Darvel number eight had the last chance in stoppage time but screwed his shot well wide.

McBookie League Two

JOHNSTONE BURGH 6

ARDEER THISTLE 0

NEW manager Paul Kellington's reign began in defeat as Johnstone Burgh picked up a one-side victory at Keanie Park.

Ardeer would perhaps regret not taking advantage of an early opportunity to score when Mark Beveridge's long throw-in was allowed to bounce in the box by the home defence, but the ball was at an awkward height and could only be headed over the bar by Franny Kilpatrick. Striker William Davies then opened the scoring for the hosts in 20 minutes, finding the net with a free-kick which Thistle goalie John McWilliam got a hand to but couldn't keep out.

The visitors were mostly on the back foot and the game was effectively ended as a contest within the space of two minutes before the break. Beveridge was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in 38 minutes. Davies doubled his tally with the resultant penalty kick and a minute after the restart Mark Davies made it 3-0 with a low strike.

There was no respite for Ardeer as Burgh scored twice more early in the second half. Lee Salisbury got the first on the rebound after McWilliam had parried a Mark Davies header, with Paul McCallum scoring the fifth four minutes later.

To Ardeer's credit they kept fighting, but Johnstone were largely untroubled in defence. Substitute Ross Gemmell scored a late final goal on the counter-attack as Ardeer were pushing for a consolation. Ex-Thistle defender Gary Nugent missed the target with a free-kick in stoppage time.

McBookie League Two

NEWMAINS UNITED 0

SALTCOATS VICTORIA 3

THE Seasiders chalked up only their third win of the season as they swept aside fellow strugglers Newmains.

In 37 minutes, trialist Chris Moulangu gave them the lead and he doubled their tally early in the second half.

Newmains had a man sent off late on after a second booking.

Abdul Abdullah netted just before the death to make it 3-0.

On a soft, bumpy pitch, Saltcoats deserved the win.

CLUB CALL

WEEKLY winning numbers in the Ardrossan Winton Rovers FC Lottery were: 5, 16, 19 and 24. There were no winners and next week's jackpot is £525.