McBookie Super League Premier Division

AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1

TROON 0

THREE years in the Premier Division came to a bitterly disappointing end as Troon were relegated after a last gasp goal gave Talbot victory.

The hosts did it the hard way, taking all three points courtesy of a last minute winner after playing the last half hour with 10 men.

The first chance came Troon’s way in 12 minutes when Keir Milliken’s attempted cross-field pass to Gordon Pope was intercepted and Ross Barbour raced clear. He played it inside to Mark Curragh who drilled a low shot which Mark Leishman held.

Troon came close in 32 minutes when Dean Keenan’s pass found Nisbet and his cross clipped the top of the bar.

Dylan Poolier easily intercepted Armstrong’s casual back-pass in 34 minutes to go clean through on the keeper, however Fraser smothered the ball.

Talbot had a good chance early in the second half. Pope found Craig McCracken inside the box and he returned it back to Gordon Pope, who found the unmarked Klark Thomson and he side-footed wide.

Keenan was booked in 55 minutes for an aerial challenge.

Talbot’s task was made harder in 59 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men. Stephen Wilson dived into the tackle when the ball was running away from him. It looked as though he played the ball as his foot never left the ground, but the ref deemed it a second yellow.

Troon spurned a good chance in 63 minutes. Mark Leishman set up McPherson 30 yards out, but he slipped, allowing Evan Maley to nick the ball. He spotted Leishman stranded off his line and went for the early shot but hit it too near the goalie who saved.

Adam Forsyth then stabbed the ball just wide following a corner-kick.

Curragh wasted a real chance to put Troon ahead in 72 minutes. He raced clear and simply had to square it across for Forsyth to roll it into the empty net but he lost control, dived and was booked.

With 15 minutes remaining Milliken beat Marty Fraser to Gordon Pope’s cross but his header drifted wide.

Talbot then produced a dramatic late winner. Stevenson raced away from Scott Chatham and cut the ball back across the penalty area to Milliken 16 yards out and he drilled a shot past Fraser with the help of a deflection off Armstrong.