McBookie Super League First Division
TROON 2
DARVEL 1
By Matt Speirs
DETERMINED Troon bounced back from their Scottish Cup upset against Yoker by edging out last season's District League champions in a close contest at Portland Park.
Manager Jim Kirkwood made six changes from the side who bowed out of the Scottish Cup and not surprisingly, it took them some time to get their act together.
The early exchanges was pretty even but in 11 minutes, Scott McLean had an effort saved by David Markie.
Next minute visiting goalie Mark Armour brought out a fine save from Ally McInness to keep the scores level.
Darvel opened the scoring in the 18 minutes when a shot from Stewart Davidson rebounded from the crossbar and in the ensuing scramble former Irvine Meadow man Greg Vernon netted.
Troon suffered a blow midway through the half when Lewis Clark had to leave the field injured and was replaced by the returning Andrew Strachan.
A few minutes later Darvel also had to make a change when Calum Walsh received a nasty head injury and was replaced by Allan Orr.
Troon got back on level terms six minutes into the second half. They were awarded a free-kick wide on the left and veteran Dean Keenan drove the ball into the
far corner of the net.
Play raged from end to end and in70 minutes, Ally McInness produced a fine save to deny Jamie Henderson.
Seven minutes later, Dean Fulton beat two defenders but Markie produced an outstanding save by turning his shot over the bar for a corner.
Two minutes later Markie was in action again, turning away an Andy Strachan header for a corner.
Two minutes from time the Seasiders' pressure paid off when former Darvel player Murray Johnston headed a corner from the right into the net to give them victory.
TROON: McInness, Barbour, Sherrie, Keenan, Clark, Chatham, Fukton, Murphy, Shirkie, Pooler, McLean. Subs: Strachan, Curragh, Forsyth, Donaldson, Johnston.
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