Thistle hit three at Lanark to ease through in cup clash

It was club's third trip to Lanarkshire in the space of seven days after a pulsating 4-4 draw against Gartcairn in the league on the previous Saturday, and then going toe to toe with Lowland League East Kilbride before losing out to a late goal in the South of Scotland Cup.

Thistle's last West of Scotland Cup match was a less straight forward encounter as they blew a two goal lead at Craigmark before winning on penalties, so this was a more comprehensive victory for Stuart Davidson's side who stuck to their task well throughout the 90 minutes.

It was the South Lanarkshire side, sitting in third spot in West of Scotland Division Two, who had the first chance as an early Meikle opportunity was stopped by last round's penalty saving hero Joe Wilton on two minutes

Wilton had to look lively to parry a good effort which went out for a corner and then Gracie fired across the face of goal for the hosts on seven minutes.

The first opportunity for Largs fell to winger Jamie Martin on ten minutes but he fired wide, followed by skipper Stuart Faulds who went even closer.

Blair Devine then tested the home goalkeeper with a piledriver effort which was parried over and then Will Sewell's effort flew inches wide as Largs were starting to motor in this contest.

And it was veteran Ryan Deas who led the way to goal with the opener on the 44th minute, and no sooner had the second half got underway when Largs managed to double their advantage as Blair Devine made it two.

Blair Devine makes it number two for Thistle (Image: Largs Thistle)

Sewell had further chances on 59 and 64 minutes as Thistle looked to make certain and avoid the potential pitfalls of the previous round.

And Premiership Largs had to battle to keep a clean sheet on the day as Cory Hughes headed off the line and Ryan McCreath's timely intervention with his foot denied Lanark a goalscoring opportunity.

Travis Stracey and David Ramsay entered the fray to replace Martin and Deas as Largs kept pushing for a third goal.

Ryan Deas was on the scoresheet for Thistle (Image: Largs Thistle)

Lanark's Anderson made a vital clearance to keep a glimmer of hope alive for the home side on the 80th minute, with Lindsay then firing wide for Lanark, but Largs were determined to add to their lead.

And on 86 minutes top scorer Will Sewell made it 12 goals for the season to secure Thistle's passage into the next round with the minimum of fuss.

Ojungu replaced Sewell late on as Largs stayed solid to record a comfortable win in the end.

Goalscorer Devine was the supporters' player of the match for the second game running.

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