Glenafton face battle against the drop

Mar 26 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MARK SHANKS admits Glenafton are fighting for their lives to avoid the drop for the second season in a row.

The New Cumnock men slipped to their tenth league defeat when they crashed 1-0 at Renfrew.

Now with only six games to go, they face a huge battle to avoid the bottom four.

Shanks said: "The players are under no illusions but we are all working our hardest to alleviate the position we are in.

“The games we have left are against the teams around us which makes it all the more important.”

A Matt McLean goal early in the second-half split the teams. Glens then had Dougie Ramsay sent off for retaliation but almost rescued a point at the death through Andy Ferguson and Steven Reilly.

LARGS expect their biggest crowd for years on Saturday when they host Irvine Meadow in their Emirates Cup quarter-final replay.

Boss Sandy MacLean, a former Ayr United goalkeeper in the 80s, will urge his men to start where they left off in the 1-1 draw at Meadow Park.

Emilio Jaconelli gave Meadow an interval lead but sub Martin Dow ensured a hot finish with the equaliser. And the Barrfields men passed by chances to win.

MacLean said: “We have beaten Meadow in the league this season and that gives us belief. It’s the sixth time in consecutive games we’ve come back from a goal down.”

AUCHINLECK are kicking themselves after being held1-1 at home to Bellshill which allowed Beith to stretch their lead at the top.

They missed a host of chances and had rough luck when Liam McVey hit the underside of the bar.

David Fry gave the visitors a shock lead but veteran Stevie Mallan won a point. Bellshill had Willie Soutar sent off.

CUMNOCK went five points clear in the First Division with a 1-0 win over bottom dogs Neilston. But second top Glencairn have four games in hand.

A second-half penalty by Gareth Campbell won the points for Stevie Farrell’s team.

ANNBANK sub Neil McGinn hit a late winner in a 4-3 victory at GIRVAN.

Mick McCann and Ross Donaldson gave Bankies a 2-0 interval lead but George Wallace and Steven Shankland equalised.

McCann headed Bankies back in front from a Paul McKenzie cross only for Kevin Biggart to level. But then in stepped McGinn with the winner at the death.

MAYBOLE gave a debut to centre-back Steven Whiteside, who they have signed from Bangor Town, in their 1-1 draw against East Kilbride.

Stuart McGrady set up Jordan Kerr to fire ‘Bole into a fifth minute lead but the visitors levelled two minutes before the break.

Boss Peter Leonard said: “We finished well and at least stopped the rot after two defeats.

“Whiteside has played at a high level and with Paul Kerr back to face Kilsyth on Saturday, I’m confident for the league run-in.”

WHITLETTS were bounced out of the West of Scotland Cup by Winton 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

A Scott Adams penalty after a push by Raymond Buchanan gave Winton an interval lead. Buchanan atoned three minutes into the second-half when he looped in a header after the keeper missed his punch.

LUGAR blew the Ayrshire League title race wide open with a 2-0 win at leaders Kilwinning. Andy Rae and Tam McLelland got the goals to leave the Rosebank men with the chance to go top if they win their games in hand.

Buffs had keeper Fraser Stewart and manager Willie Thomson sent off.

KELLO are also in the hunt after routing whipping boys Ardeer 7-0 but they’ll miss keeper Cameron Menzies for Saturday’s visit of Hurlford.

Three penalties - two converted by Martin Shaw, the other by David Jardine - were joined by goals from Kieran Pagan, Paul Weir, Jason McTaggart and Liam Fleming.

TROON beat Muirkirk 5-0 with Andy Stevenson hitting a hat-trick but it's too little too late for the Portland Parkers.

Scott Chatham and Scott Cleland, with a 91st minute goal of the season contender, wrapped it up.

Boss John Redmond claimed: “You won’t see a better goal anywhere than the one scored by Cleland who ran from his own box, beating defenders and then rounding the keeper for his first for Troon.”

CRAIGMARK beat Saltcoats 2-0 with goals from Bryan Kerr and Lloyd Murphy and with nine games to go could yet sneak into promotion contention.

Boss Lawrie Dinwoodie said: “We can still do it if we win all our games but it’s a big ask.”

HURLFORD, who are bossed by former Lugar and Muirkirk boss Willie McMahon, are bang in the title frame after a 2-1 win at Irvine Vics.