DOUNE CASTLE could not secure an equaliser against Glasgow Harp with a late goal cruelly sending them on the floor.

The mid-week affair last Wednesday, April 5, was littered with cynical challenges that far too often interrupted the encounter.

The Glasgow side took the lead after 18 minutes with a first class goal.

McLay gathered the ball some 30 years out, drifting past three defenders before stroking the ball beyond keeper Steven Fotheringham and into the far corner of the net from 17 yards.

Alan More passed up a golden opportunity to equalise at around the 36 minute mark, but his effort missed from only four yards.

The two sides went into the dressing room for the break with 1 – 0 on the scoreboard.

Glasgow extended the lead a few minutes into the second half, when Des Currie failed to clear at the edge of the box.

As the Harp striker prepared to shoot, Graham McClymont brought him down for a clear penalty kick.

Fotheringham was sent the wrong way with the ball landing in the net to make it 2 – 0.

The Castle forced themselves back into the game with a fine goal after 60 minutes.

Sean Heaver outpaced two defenders, rushing down the left flank. He cut the ball back to Dylan McGowan who sent a first-time volley high into the net to make it 2 – 1.

Doune kept searching for an equaliser with Niall McClure and Alan More both coming close.

However, the Glasgow side managed to kill the game with a third goal just minutes away from full time.

They broke quickly, and a ball threaded through the middle gave a home player the opening. He calmly drove into the far corner to secure the three points.

Doune Castle: Fotheringham, More, McClymont, Duncanson, Feaks, Currie (Duszynski) Burns (A Innes), McClure, Ogilvie, Heaver, McGowan Substitutes: Scott, Gallagher