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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Eric McGowan

Stuart Davidson says Largs Thistle have only themselves to blame after Scottish Junior Cup exit to Petershill

Largs Thistle boss Stuart Davidson says his side have only themselves to blame after crashing out of the Scottish Junior Cup.

The Theesel manager saw his side fall in the quarter finals yesterday as they went down 3-2 at home to lower league Petershill.

Stephen Docherty fired the visitors into a shock first-minute before Largs hit back with a William Sewell penalty shortly before half-time.

Largs seemed to be in full control of the tie when Jack Haggerty's wonder strike put them in front in the second half.

But Peasy ace Docherty pounced on a further two defensive mishaps, sealing his hat-trick late on to clinch a semi-final showdown against Yoker Athletic.

And boss Davidson insisted his players shot themselves in the foot after exiting the competition.

He told Ayrshire Football News: "They can't sit there and feel sorry for themselves when they've gave away three goals like that in the quarter finals of the Scottish cup.

"As this team has showed this season, they've got that vulnerability about them.

"It's basic stuff. We've killed ourselves."

Fans were still queuing to get into Barrfields Park when Petershill made the breakthrough.

A simple long ball over the top caught the Largs backline napping and Docherty raced through to beat Largs keeper Jamie McGowan with a fine, composed finish.

Petershill were dealt a blow of their own soon after when goalkeeper Steven McNeil was forced off injured, replaced by Scott Law.

Largs were on top for most of the match (Irvine Herald)

Largs pressed hard for an equaliser, Sewell rattling the crossbar with an excellent effort from a tight angle in the 17th minute.

The same player had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Alastair Grieve with 25 minutes on the clock after Craig McGregor's clumsy challenge sent him sprawling in the box.

Sean McLeod somehow failed to turn home a cross in the six yard box in Largs' next attack as Peasy's goal continued to lead a charmed life.

But the hosts' perseverance eventually paid off five minutes before half time when Sewell's cross was cut out by Jordan Scott's flailing hand for the clearest of penalties, which Sewell duly dispatched.

The interval failed to halt Largs' momentum and they deservedly got their noses in front in 62 minutes when Haggerty cut in from the left flank and, from 25 yards, dispatched a terrific curling strike into the far away corner of the net.

Largs celebrate Jack Haggerty's super strike (Irvine Herald)

Petershill looked out of ideas but they levelled the match once more in the 69th minute, Docherty's perfectly executed side-footed volley finding the bottom corner after Largs went to sleep at a cross ball.

And with five minutes remaining, Docherty was in the right place at the right time to poke home the winner from close range after Largs keeper McGowan and defender Laurie McMaster got themselves in an almighty tangle trying to cut out another cross.

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