A second win in succession has strengthened Kirrie Thistle's chances of avoiding relegation, an impressive performance against a lacklustre Kinnoull side has put Wilson Coupar's men seven points from safety with three games to go. Despite having the better of the early exchanged Thistle fell behind on 10 minutes when trialist Davies threaded Taylor in on goal through the heart of the Kirrie defences, who then slotted home comfortably. Kirrie fought back from the restart with Farquharson having three efforts on goal within moments of each other but none failed to trouble ex Thistle keeper Tough in goal. However the equaliser did come soon after, a cross by Miller finding it's way through the leaky home defence to the unmarked Stewart Russell who prodded home at the second attempt. An impressive first half performance from Thistle was almost nullified by a long range Whytock drive but keeper Knox had the better of it, tipping over the bar.
The second half brought about no change, with Thistle the dominant force, Craig Logan relishing the chance to play further forward tested keeper Tough twice in two minutes. First a lengthy drive that floated just over then an exquisite volley from the keepers clearance that was inches away from the top corner. But Kirrie did get their second when Logan crossed for Russell to head down, repaying the favour, for an onrushing Miller to fire in from close.
And the lead was almost doubled when a Urek cross was flicked on by Russell to returning hero Paul Cooney, who put in a man of the match performance on his first appearance of the season. Sadly his comeback was not sealed with a goal as he was superbly denied by Tough from all of 10 yards. Thistle were left to thank their lucky stars when a whipped corner by Whytock found Taylor in a acres of space but his powerful header failed to find the target. Nice link up play down the left created Kirrie's next chance, Smith and Miller exchanging passes before teeing S.Archibald up just inside the area to fire narrowly wide. The third goal did come minutes after, S.Russell grabbing his ninth of the season from a Cooney knock down. The visitors continued to press in search of more goals but sub Archibald again failed to find the target in the dying moments one on one against Tough. Kirrie's fate lies in the balance, with numerous results having to go their way and maximum points a must, it'll take a miracle to survive.

Glen Barclay
Kirrie Thistle