GREENOCK were left with nothing to show for their efforts, as Rob Roy snatched a late winner at Ravenscraig on Saturday.

It was cruel luck on Martin Campbell’s men, who had given their all against quality opposition, with the visitors having been a Premier League side until just last season.

Defences were on top in a somewhat uneventful first half, with chances few and far between.

Greenock’s first opportunity didn’t arise until the 23rd minute, when Darren McLachlan got on the end of a cross to have a free header from eight yards out. But the striker failed to connect properly, and his effort went wide of the post.

Fellow striker Craig Brown, fresh from his double scoring exploits at Yoker the previous week, was being well marshalled by the strong Rob Roy defence. But a neat turn on the half hour mark saw the striker create space to fire in a shot which was blocked by the legs of visiting keeper Jonathan Murdoch.

Things livened up considerably in the second half, as the Kirkintilloch men took the lead just six minutes in.

A cross from the left went over the Greenock defence to the far side of the box, from where James Hunter rifled in a low shot past Mark Monk in the Greenock goal.

Rob Roy were in the ascendancy now, and ought to have increased their lead just four minutes later, but Jordan McKechnie’s poor effort was easily saved by Monk.

Greenock were finding it difficult to maintain sustained pressure on the Roy defence, but they did finally manage to breach it in the 66th minute.

A free-kick from the half-way line caused panic in the visitors box, where Tam Jamieson headed the ball on to Brown, who fired home for his third goal in two games.

Rob Roy went straight on the attack from the restart, and a Christopher Duff header looked set to put them back into the lead, but David McGarrigle saved the day with a goal-line clearance.

Rob Roy then sent on new signing Ryan Tiffney, formerly of Albion Rovers. And the sub made an instant impact, grabbing what was to be prove to be the winning goal within six minutes of coming on.

A though ball over the Greenock defence put Tiffney through on goal, but he still had a lot to do from a very tight angle. However the sub proved his worth with a fine shot across keeper Monk and into the corner of the net.

Greenock tried to battle back for a second time, and almost levelled again from a free-kick with seven minutes remaining.

Kevin McKay bent his place kick round the Rob Roy wall, but keeper Murdoch scrambled across to pull off a fine save at his right hand post.

Greenock boss Campbell said: “That was very frustrating. I felt we dominated the game in the second half, when Rob Roy had only two shots at goal, yet they went away 2-1 winners. At one- each I felt we were on top and playing well, but then Rob Roy broke up the park and scored, so to come away with nothing was very disappointing.

“But the fact that Rob Roy were so delighted with the result, as Pollok were at Ravenscraig two weeks previously, says a lot about us and how sides now view us as difficult opponents.” GREENOCK: Monk, Orr, T. Docherty, Scott, McGarrigle, Jamieson, Beattie, McKay, Brown, A. Docherty, McLachlan (Doherty 58). Subs not used: N. Docherty, L. Docherty, Williams, McWilliams.

Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar. The Lighthouse Bar was also additional sponsors for this match.