McBookie Super League First Division

TROON 0

PETERSHILL 2

By Stewart McConnell

UNINSPIRING Troon had their title dreams all but shattered as they crashed to defeat against the runaway leaders.

It was their third loss of the season - with all coming at home - and sees them drop to fourth spot.

Now they will have to focus on trying to cement a top four place to ensure automatic promotion.

The Seasiders got off to a disastrous start by conceding a goal in four minutes when a cross from outside the box by former Irvine Meadow man Chris Hall was headed powerfully home from eight yards by Jason Hardie.

Five minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty-kick following a foul on home skipper Dean Kennan. However home goalie Ally McInnes dived well to foul Alex Cassells from 12 yards.

Another opportunity was spurned by Peasy when Paul Callander shot behind the goal from 12 yard in 15 minutes.

Visiting defender Ross Barclay headed the ball into his own net from eight yards in 22 minutes but the "goal" was chalked off for a foul on the defender although there didn't look to be any contact.

Peasy then carved out another chance in 28 minutes when Hardie swung a cross onto the box but a home defender hooked the ball clear.

The hosts were unlucky when Steven McCreadie crossed into the box from 25 yards four minutes later, but found no takers for his effort.

Troon were denied what looked a clear cut penalty in 36 minutes when Adam Forsyth looked to be tripped inside the box by a visiting defender.

Danny McKay then saw his cross into the box booted away by a Peasy defender two minutes later.

Troon were so unlucky not to square the contest in 43 minutes when a Ross Barbour shot from 22 yards dipped just over the bar.

Peasy were awarded a second penalty in 52 minutes when the dangerous Callander was adjudged to have been tripped inside the box although the contact was minimal. However McInnes saved Hardie's spot kick effort.

Troon came close again in 56 minutes when Forsyth made a fine run before shooting narrowly wide from 22 yards.

However Peasy doubled their advantage in 58 minutes when Hardie blasted into the bottom corner from 20 yards, despite claims from the hosts for offside.

A Dean Keenan free-kick from 22 yards was saved by John Gibson eight minutes later.

Dean Fulton swung over a cross to Evan Maley who shot across the face of goal from eight yards in 80 minutes as Troon desperately tried to salvage something from the game.

Ross Barclay beat Forsyth to the ball eight yards from goal and shepherded it back to Gibson in 82 minutes as Peasy saw out the game.

Hopefully this young Troon squad will learn lessons from defeat against a very much more streetwise Petershill side who are a class apart and look like they will run away with the title. However promotion is still very much within Troon's grasp and they must work towards that.

TROON: McInnes; Barbour, Clark, Keenan, Strachan, Chatham, McCreadie, Murphy, McKay, McCrea, Forsyth. Subs: Fulton, Maley, Collins, Pooler, Trialist.

PETERSHILL: Gibson; Barclay, Wilson, J Kennedy, D Kennedy, Murch, Cassells, Callander, Hall, Hardie, Finnigan. Subs: Mackay, McManus, Ketterer, Haxton. Gold.