East Kilbride 1 Largs Thistle 0

LARGS Thistle bowed out of the South of Scotland Cup at the third round stage after a valiant showing at holders East Kilbride.

Both sides had opportunities with the game looking like it was going to penalties until the Lanarkshire side scored with nine minutes of regulation time to go.

It was a creditable performance for Stuart Davidson's battling side up against the might of East Kilbride managed by Mick Kennedy, so familiar with one of the most historic upsets in Scotland when Darvel knocked out Aberdeen from the Scottish Cup two seasons ago.

But it was very much Largs who were the underdogs going into this cup tie and they gave a strong account of themselves as they lost their first match in ten, and were knocked out of their first cup tournament of the season.

Joe Wilton was the first keeper to be tested on eight minutes with a good save to ease the early pressure from the home side.

Wilton then made a crucial save after East Kilbride struck the post on 11 minutes as the Lowland League leaders tested Largs in the opening stages.

On 22 minutes Blair Devine won a loose ball and managed to drive it across goal but there were no takers.

Faulds then had an important headed intervention on the half hour mark, and then Jamie Martin was in at the far post but couldn't get enough purchase on the effort.

East Kilbride then launched a counter but Robertson fired wide of Wilton's goal.

A moment before the interval, Devine managed to tee up Sewell who couldn't quite finish as the half-time score was goalless.

Devine was once again proving a danger to the hosts but couldn't quite hit the target after being set up by Sewell on 55 minutes.

Robertson then had another breakaway opportunity for the home side but blazed well wide as the ebb and flow to the cup encounter continued.

Manager Stuart Davidson decided to go for broke as he brought on a forward in David Ramsay for Conor Bradley with just over quarter of an hour to go.

A dangerous cross-come-shot from Will Sewell was held by Connolly in the East Kilbride goal on 78 minutes.

There was heartbreak for Largs on 81 minutes as Steven Boyd broke the deadlock for East Kilbride as he fired home at the second opportunity for East Kilbride following a corner kick from the right hand side.

Ryan Deas then entered the fray for Largs in place of Chris McGeown.

With three minutes of regulation time left, Lewis Davidson missed a good connection with a Sewell cross as the home keeper Connolly saved.

On 89 minutes, Deas effort was saved by Connolly as Largs kept pushing as the clock passed 9.30pm.

The veteran sub then turned and fired over the bar from another opening on 91 minutes as Largs looked to get a leveller to pull the game into a penalty shoot out.

Lewis Davidson saw red for a late second yellow card in the 94th minute as Thistle were reduced to ten men at the death.

Despite the disappointing nature of losing out in the end, Thistle can take plenty of positives after pushing East Kilbride all the way, and the Barrfields side now head to Lanark United on Saturday in the West of Scotland Cup.

LARGS: Wilton, McLeod, Hughes, Faulds, Bradley, McCreath, McGeown, Devine, Davidson, Martin, Sewell. Subs: Brady, Stracey, Ramsay, Deas, Johnston (GK).