ARTHURLIE suffered a second successive league defeat as they went down to Troon in a five goal marathon by the seaside.

The Dunterlie side will have come away from Portland Park with a real sense of regret, especially when considering the guild edged chances that got away and the manner of the goals conceded.

Goals from Eddie McTernan and Mark Blakey had the Barrhead side ahead twice, but the resistance of the Seasiders eventually won the day. Adam Forsyth and Craig Harvey levelled up the scores twice, before Dale Moore pounced late on to grab all three points for the home side.

A largely uneventful first half was brought to life with 32 minutes on the clock when Arthurlie took the lead. Ryan McGregor laid the ball off to MCTERNAN, with the Lie winger firing home from just over 20 yards. Ally Semple in the home goal might have done better, but the accuracy of the effort ensured the deadlock was broken.

The visitors were in the ascendancy and McGregor’s flash cross from the left just evaded everyone with five first half minutes remaining. This was a quality delivery which really should have resulted in goal number two.

Arthurlie’s attacking intent continued, but it was to be the home side to level the match with 42 minutes gone. A Lie corner was cleared, with Forsyth then picking up the ball on the halfway line. Blakey was the sole defender – left horrendously exposed, with the Troon striker racing towards goal, evading Blakey’s best efforts and comfortably beating the helpless Michael White in goal.

The first half scoring was not over though, as the away side were to regain the lead almost instantly. BLAKEY found himself in an advanced position and the left back — making his second full debut for Arthurlie — struck from a similar distance to the opening goal. On this occasion, there was no dispute that Semple should have done better, but that did not matter as the full back wheeled away to celebrate with the away management team.

Chris Dallas was presented with the final chance of the half. McTernan played in the Dunterlie front man, but his effort was well saved by Semple to keep the hosts very much in the match.

Half-time: Troon 1-2 Arthurlie The home side returned for the second period with a real sense of urgency and it was not too long before they forced a second equaliser. Shortly after the hour mark it was two apiece. Substitute Dale Shirkie made a probing run down the left, before crossing for Harvey to tap home and level the scores. The home side went agonisingly close to taking the lead minutes later, but Chris McKinight’s free kick crashed off the upright and to safety.

Robert Downs introduced Gary Smith for Dallas as the Arthurlie manager went in search of an invaluable winner. With 10 minutes remaining, it was McGregor who went close with a back post header, but the captain’s effort was narrowly over the bar.

The woodwork was to save Arthurlie again in the eighty second minute as Scott Chatham went close with a front post header.

Craig Holmes replaced Rhys Devlin for the Dunterlie side’s final roll of the dice. However, it was to be disappointment for Lie as Moore delivered the sucker punch with a few minutes remaining. A rather dubious free kick award allowed McKnight to fire on target, goalkeeper White could not turn his stop to safety, allowing the Troon left winger to nip in and notch a priceless win for the hosts.

After an excellent opening to the league campaign, the past two results will have dented the positivity around Dunterlie, but there are still many reasons to be optimistic.

With Auchinleck being involved in a Scottish FA Cup replay against BSC Glasgow, Arthurlie will be forced to sit out of next week’s fixture list. The opportunity to respond will come on Saturday, October 10, when the West of Scotland Cup defence starts against Maryhill at Dunterlie.

ARTHURLIE: White, Devlin, Blakey, Rushford, Tart, MacDonald, McTernan, McGregor, Dallas, Carroll, McGlinchey. SUBS: Gair, Smith, Holmes, Palmer, Maxwell.

Arthurlie MOM: Gary Carroll