McBookie Super League First Division

TROON 5

LARKHALL THISTLE 2

by Matt Speirs

FOUR-goal Scott McLean was the star of the show as promotion hopefuls Troon had to battle hard to pick up the points against a rugged Larkhall side.

The visitors had some great chances to score when it was deadlocked at 2-2.

However McLean's match-winning performance helped see them through.

The first goal arrived after five minutes. McLean picked up a loose ball some 25 yards from goal and netted with a low drive.

Five minutes later a drive by Larkhall's Craig Forbes was turned away for a corner.

Larkhall suffered a blow in 27 minutes when Liam Mushett went off injured to be replaced by Hugh Kelly.

Troon doubled their lead on the half hour when Jack Paterson set up McLean, who curled a shot into the top corner of the net.

Larkhall pulled a goal back in 37 minutes when a ball split open the

Troon defence and Graham Gracie ran through and netted off the post.

A minute from the interval, Larkhall had a chance to draw level but this time Graham Gracie was denied by the legs of Jamie McGowan.

In 56 minute the scores were tied a corner into the box was only partially cleared and Mark Canning netted via the post.

Troon replaced Adam Forsyth and Tony Murphy with Mark Curragh and Evan Maley and the two newcomers added a bit of pace into the Troon side.

Evan Maley almost grabbed the all-important third goal in 77 minutes, but his shot was well saved by Johnny Duncan

It was all to play for now and Larkhall should have taken the lead in 64 minutes, but David Reid shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Twelve minutes from time, a sweeping move sent Scott Chatham clear and he cleverly squared the ball to McLean who shot into the empty net to seal his treble.

Troon were awarded a penalty in 89 minutes. McLean took the kick but Duncan made a fine save low to his right, however Ross McCrea was first to react and netted.

A minute into injury-time Troon were awarded another penalty and this time McLean dinked the ball over the keeper into the net to seal a memorable win.

TROON: McGowan, McCreadie, Clark, Keenan, Collins, Chatham, Paterson, McCrea, Forsyth, Murphy, McLean. Subs: Brown, Maley, Chisholm, Curragh, Lamont.