Neilston 1 Larkhall Th 1

Neilston picked up a valuable point as they were held at home by Larkhall Thistle at Brig O’Lea Stadium.

However, the result was a disappointment for the home support who felt they should have taken all three points.

The Farmer's Boys dominated most of the game as they battle for survival.

Manager Robert Graham welcomed back Kieran McDade to the team after being out for eight months through injury.

Neilston could have been a goal down in the opening minute when Grace ran down the left to cross for Stewart whose shot was saved by Cowie.

A mistake in the Jags' defence let Dymock in for the Ton’s first chance of the game, but he dragged his shot wide. Minutes later McCuish’s corner was headed over the bar by Diack. The visitors took an early lead in the twelfth minute when Stewart found space down the right flank to set up McStay at the back post who tapped in.

After a bright start by the visitors, Neilston came back into the game and were the better team for most of the half. Both Amos and Diack had shots blocked by the defenders.

They got a deserved equaliser in the 27th minute from a McCuish’s corner on the right. It was flicked on by Diack at the front post before McKay bundled the ball in the net.

Neilston continued to press and Stevenson blasted over the bar after good play from Dymock. Minutes later Docherty tried his luck but saw his shot deflected for a corner.

Half Time: Neilston 1 Larkhall Thistle 1

Neilston began the second half strongly and Diack picked up the loose ball in the midfield to fire straight at Thomson in the Jags goal. Minutes later McKay went close with a header that just went wide from McDade’s throw-in. Larkhall conceded a free-kick just outside the box, but Dymock’s decent attempt went just past the post.

In a brief attack, Thistle caused problems with a free-kick, with Marshall floating the ball from inside his own half onto the penalty spot, but Gracie failed to get a toe on the end of it.

The game became scrappy as the home side pushed for the winner. They were denied in the 70th minute by a tremendous save by Thomson from McKay’s effort after he cut inside and curled a shot towards the far corner. Neilston made their only change minutes later with Cameron replacing McCuish.

Neilston were denied a goal in the 77th minute when McKay took the ball into the box and he found Diack with a back heel who fired a low cross into the box that was found Dymock, but the referee spotted a handball and the goal was disallowed.

At the other end, the Thistle had a chance to take all three points with five minutes left as Gracie latched on to a long ball out of defence, but he blasted his shot high over the bar.

Neilston pressed for the winner with Cameron going close with a shot past the post then a free kick from McKay nearly cleared the high fence at the road end in a dangerous position just outside the box.

Neilston’s man of the Match: Stephen Docherty.

Neilston: Cowie, Stevenson, McInnes, Amos, McDade, McCuish (Cameron), Diack, Dymock, McKay, Kennedy. Subs not used: - Cummins, Murphy, Kelly, and G/k Digney.

Neilston are away to Vale of Clyde on Saturday (2pm kick off). before travelling to St Anthony's on Monday night (6:45pm kick off)

Larkhall Thistle: D.Thomson, Doyle, Marshall, Brown, Reynolds; Stewart (Burns 70), Innes, Jack, McKeever; Gracie, McStay