Largs Thistle and Johnstone Burgh share the spoils

Despite both squads boasting enviable goalscoring talents in the shape of Thistle's Will Sewell and Burgh's Kyle Lafferty, no-one was able to break through as the spoils were shared on day one in the Barrfields sunshine.

The post denied Largs a goal in each half, with Sewell and Blair Devine both denied by the woodwork, but chances were very much at a premium at both ends, with Burgh barely registering a shot of note on target in their return to the top flight.

A noisy busload of supporters travelled from Renfrewshire to give their backing to the newly-promoted visitors on the opening day of the season, with long queues making for a big crowd as the eagerly-anticipated campaign got under way.

(Image: Newsquest)

Despite the lack of chances, it was still an engrossing encounter, with Burgh edging the first half and winning a corner inside the first minute.

Johnstone enjoyed possession in the early exchanges but Largs showed during pre-season that they can turn a match in the blink of an eye - something they nearly did on 15 minutes when Jamie Martin muscled in front of a defender to head past the Burgh keeper, only for a defender to clear off the line with the help of the woodwork.

An ambitious overhead kick from the visitors came to nothing, while the Johnstone keeper made a hash of a corner at the other end, only for the defence to eventually clear the danger after a spell of pinball inside the box.

Will Sewell smashed the post against Johnstone Burgh (Image: Largs Thistle FC)

Cory Hughes got himself in all sorts of problems just before the break after being dispossessed, but he made a swift recovery to clear the danger for a corner as a Burgh striker made to pull the trigger.

And Kieran Brady made a vital last-ditch challenge on his competitive debut for Thistle as Johnstone threatened in a one-on-one with home keeper Joe Wilton.

The visitors looked more threatening at the start of the second half, with a shot from the left flashing across the face of goal before the ball was deflected wide.

And Wilton had to look smart to keep out an angled strike from the right, only for the offside flag to thwart Johnstone's attack.

(Image: Largs Thistle FC)

Thistle's frustration began to show when Martin was cautioned for a foul, but the resulting free kick went high and wide, before another Johnstone effort was deflected wide for a corner.

And on the hour mark Largs came closest to breaking the deadlock when Sewell's fierce strike from the edge of the box came back off the base of the post, and Devine's follow-up brought out a remarkable fingertip save from Scullion in the Johnstone goal.

Hughes sent a glancing header just wide and David McGrath's half volley was blocked, while Wilton at the other end made a smart save to keep out a Johnstone headed effort.

Thistle boss Stuart Davidson brought on David Ramsay in place of Martin, while Lafferty entered the fray for the visitors, and debutant Travis Stacey was introduced in a further bid to step up the Largs goalscoring threat in the final 15 minutes.

Late fracas on touchline saw Sean McLeod red carded for Largs Thistle  (Image: Newsquest)

There was late drama for both sides as Aaron Mason was sent off for Burgh after being shown a second yellow card, with Thistle's Sean McLeod following him in an early trip to the dressing room for a stoppage-time foul, but there was no time left for either side to make the most of the extra space by conjuring up a last-gasp winner.

Having created the better chances on the day, Largs may be disappointed they didn't secure full points, though Johnstone deserved credit for their spells of possession and for making Davidson's men work for their share of the spoils from an energetic clash which rarely dipped below 100 miles an hour despite the hot weather.

LARGS: Wilton, McLeod, Bradley, Devine, Brady, Hughes, Faulds, McGrath, Martin, Davidson, Sewell. Subs: McMaster, Stracey, Ramsay, Ojungu, Cumming, McKeown, Johnston (GK).