Cory Hughes header cements Largs Thistle victory over Shotts

Thistle left it late to record victory against a stuffy Shotts outfit who looked determined to come away from Barrfields with a clean sheet.

With Largs celebrating the launch of the Viking Festival, it was apt that Thistle were involved in a long drawn out battle of their own. Their very own warrior clad in gold and black, Will Sewell, was once more the hero of the hour as he scored the all important opener with 20 minutes to go.

And the ever-dependable Cory Hughes nodded in number two to ensure all three points stayed at Barrfields as Largs moved up to fourth in the Premier League - an outcome which seemed far fetched at half-time when it was very humdrum stuff with barely any chances for either side.

Defences were on top in first half (Image: Largs Thistle F.C)

Defender Ryan McCreath was on the bench for Largs while Brady and Hughes made up the central defensive partnership and they had some work to do with Shotts having a few dangerous forays into the box but they managed to put in sufficient blocks to ease the danger towards the end of the first half.

(Image: Largs Thistle FC)

The home crowd kept signalling encouragement to Largs to continue to push forward as they faced the Brisbane Road end of the stadium in the second half, which seemed to galvanise them. They started to sniff out a few dangerous chances but there was still no cutting edge.

Shotts looked to have a dangerous break before the offside flag was raised, but Largs were beginning to dominate the game as the minutes ticked away.

Jamie Martin went on a blazing run, cutting across from the right, but his effort on goal didn't get a clean connection. Skipper Stuart Faulds followed up with a fast-paced low curling shot from the edge of the area, which resulted in a solid save.

This gave Largs supporters further optimism as they cheered on their heroes and Sewell responded in the only way he knows how by notching a spectacular goal.

He cut in from the right and hit a low and measured shot across the goal and into the bottom left hand corner.

Sewell then forced another good save from the busy Shotts keeper as he nearly added another moments later, and then Martin had a great opportunity to score but blazed it over the bar when he should have burst the back of the net.

But it was the ever-dependable Hughes who managed to force home a header from a high ball into the box to cement this victory on 82 minutes.

Wing back Sean McLeod, who was one of Thistle's better players on the day, nearly scored the goal that his display deserved as he lashed a shot across the face of goal which fizzed narrowly wide.

This was a key win for Largs who didn't play particularly well in the opening hour but managed to find some form and get back into the high pressing style we know that this side is capable of.

It did look at one point that it was going to be the third goalless game out of four at Barrfields at one stage, and Shotts may well have been quite content with that.

But Largs managed to gather some much needed momentum as they at last managed to stretch Shotts and could have won by more in the end up.

After only one point in the previous two games, it was hugely important that Largs got back to winning ways, and there was generous applause for the team as they were marching off the field .

But Largs will definitely need to play better than this as a whole if they are looking to keep their lofty league position and build on it.

But first comes the big Scottish Cup tie on Saturday against Sauchie which takes precedence.

LARGS: Wilton, McLeod, McMaster, Brady, Hughes, Faulds, Bradley, Devine, Ojungu, Davdison, Sewell, Subs: Martin, Stracey, Cumming, MCCrreath, McGeown, Johnston (GK)