McBookie Ayrshire District League

DALRY THISTLE 4

ANNBANK UNITED 3

BANKIES were edged out by the 10-man title chasers in a seven-goal thriller.

It was a much-improved showing from the 10-0 defeat a week earlier.

Dalry pressure was easily dealt with by the Bankies defence and a ball into the box was then met by a head but the visiting goalie made a good low save.

A Dalry striker then missed a fizzed ball in before Ryan McCubbin shot wide following a knock-down.

Dalry curled a shot just wide in 15 minutes as they looked for an opener andf they then had an effort headed over the bar in 21 minutes. A minute later Bankies had their first chance when a long ball in was met by Dillan Dunn but his clipped effort landed on the roof of the net.

Dalry thought they had taken the lead on the half hour as a corner-kick was met by a powerful header but Craig Barrett got across to clear off the line and they then rattled the underside of the bar with a powerful strike. Andy Stevenson got his head on the end of a Lee Sloan cross but headed just over, Kris Stewart then had an effort held as the Bankies ended the half well. A Tommy Sloan effort on 44 minutes was well saved by home goalie Marc Fisher in the Dalry goal.

In 53 minutes improved bankies took the lead when the ball was played into Kris Stewart who finished off the post.

Seven minutes later Dalry had a man dismissed for violent conduct and things got worse for the North Ayrshire side as Andy Stevenson was brought down by the keeper and the veteran striker dusted himself off to convert and make it 2-0.

In 69 minutes it was 3-0 as Daniel Wilson rushed onto a through ball and cleverly lobbed the advancing Fisher. Dalry found a way back in on 77 minutes as Barry Fleeting tapped home following a corner and on 80 minutes it was 3-2 as former Ayr United striker Ian Cashmore converted a penalty. Euan Smith had a good chance to finish it for the Bankies after latching onto a McCubbin ball but his lob landed on the roof of the net. A strike from Ryan Cumming in 84 minutes saw Dalry draw level.

The Bankies goalie keeper made a fine save in 87 minutes to keep the score level. But it wasn't to be for the Bankies as with a minute gone in stoppage time, Dylan Stevenson drove a powerful shot home from the right.