Published: Wednesday, 10th June, 2009 4:17pm

Kelly bags 'Lie a point at Talbot

ARTHURLIE"S league campaign ended last Thursday night at Auchinleck where goals from Frank McKeown and Franny Kelly secured a share of the points against the Scottish Cup winners.

The "Lie were first on the attack and a headed flick on by George Wallace set Sean Winter free, but Scott Black in the home goal touched Winter"s effort round the post for a corner.

The Barrhead side had the bulk of the possession for most of the first half without creating any real clear-cut chances.

On 24 minutes, Pedram Ardallany, who had probably his best game for the club, showed great control to take a high clearance down before sending Matthew McLean racing through, but again Black touched the ball past for a corner.

Two minutes later, Talbot had their first effort of the game as McKay, a trialist for the Ayrshire side, had an effort which failed to trouble Peter Shaw.

The home side did take the lead though with five first half minutes remaining. Lee McCrae showed great vision to send a defence splitting pass to Liam McVey and then continued his run into the Arthurlie box.

McVey took one touch before sending over a deep cross which was headed into the path of White. He unselfishly headed on to the unmarked Sean McIlroy who could not - and did not - miss.

Arthurlie started the second half on the attack and McLean really should have levelled the scores when he was set free by a Lee Sharp pinpoint free-kick, but he headed weakly wide of target.

The home side started to press now and McVey went close on 64 minutes before Gavin Duncan had to be alert to block two attempts in a matter of seconds just two minutes later.

Arthurlie though levelled the game just a minute later. Sharp took a corner kick and fed McKeown who sent a rasping drive past the helpless Black in the Talbot goal.

With 15 minutes left, McIlroy raced in on goal and tried to lift the ball over the diving Shaw. The "Lie keeper got enough on it to take the pace off the ball and McKeown was on hand to clear the danger.

But McIlroy was not to be denied for long as a minute later, McCrae bust down the left wing before cutting inside and hitting a shot Shaw could only parry. McIlroy was on to it in a flash and despite the attention of two Arthurlie defenders, he managed to poke the ball home.

"Lie manager Mark Cameron introduced Kelly for McLean with 10 minutes to go and it proved to be an inspired substitution as a Sharp cross was only half cleared and Kelly calmly side footed the ball into the next to level late on.

Arthurlie: Shaw, Lundie, McKeown, Higgins, Duncan, Sharp, Ardallany, McLay, McLean, Winter, Wallace. Subs: Hughes, Malcolm, Kelly, Johnston, Blakie, (Trialist).

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