POOR refereeing decisions cost Troon any chance of victory in their opening league match on Saturday.

That was the claim from assistant boss Matt Maley this week.

But the Portland Park number two was still disappointed that his side squandered their two-goal advantage in the game against Irvine Meadow, which was billed as a clash of the promotion challengers, going down 3-2.

Maley told Sportscene: "We started really well and it was good to take a 2-0 lead. But we had other opportunities to go well in front but didn't take them. Their first goal was a soft penalty when a Meadow player went down inside the box but Tony Murphy didn't foul him. They then scored again but we were still in the game. But their third goal looked offside but it stood and these decisions cost us any chance of winning the game."

However there is room for improvement, said Maley, who became number two to Jim Kirkwood in the summer.

He added: "Preparations for the league season went well and we are playing a good style of football. But we have to learn to see games out when we have the lead. That is something we have to work on."

Troon on Saturday head to Lochburn Park on Saturday to face a Maryhill side who lost 4-0 to Largs Thistle at Barrfields Park on Saturday.

Maley said: "We are looking to pick up three points as we do every game.

Meanwhile Troon last Wednesday went down 5-2 to Whitletts Vics in their final Ardagh Cup match at Portland Park.

Jordan Boyd bagged a double for the visiting side, with brothers Louis and Isaac Kerr and former Troon man Craig Harvey on target. Graeme Barbour and Mark Curragh scored the consolation goals for the Seasiders.