Published: Wednesday, 1st April, 2009 12:30pm

Unbeaten run grinds to halt

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Renfrew Juniors 1 East Kilbride Thistle 2

RENFREW"S impressive unbeaten record came to an unexpected end as a second half fight back ensured all three points for a struggling East Kilbride side.

Despite the loss, Renfrew still retain their healthy league position just three points of a play-off position but co-manager Colin Clark is keen to hush any talk of promotion.

He said: 'There"s been no talk of promotion from us.

'Staying up was the priority at Christmas and it"s our priority now.

'We had five Points at the end of November and now we"re sitting fourth with 27.

'If we stay up from where we were, it"ll be a success.'

Both teams had a intense desire to win this game and the opening stages had all the elements of a "do or die" style cup-tie.

James Crowhurst would reap the benefits of a defenseive mix up as he slipped in under the nose of the goalkeeper to lash his third goal in three games, high into the net.

Renfrew really should have doubled their lead before the interval with great chances from Steven Reid and Willie Stewart before Ryan Deas rifled a free kick inches past the post.

The visitors started the second half on top and began to force errors from a tiring Renfrew.

The Frew failed to track back and Michael Dickie found himself out numbered and alone on the right.

East Kilbride left back Barry Russell played a neat one-two with his team mate before whipping a dangerous ball into the box to see his cross converted by Renfrew defender Neil Shearer.

Renfrew found themselves being overrun by a hungrier Thistle side but the Frew should have restored their lead after good play from Crowhurst on the left gave Graeme Mort a sight of goal before the midfielder screwed his effort wide of the mark.

Two minutes later and East Kilbride took the lead.

Some tired defending from Renfrew gave McGhee an opportunity to fire a 22-yard shot past the despairing Dean Sexton to take all three points.

Renfrew will be realing from only their second defeat since New Year and now face a two week lay-off which Renfrew gaffer Dougie Mitchell insists will be helpful to recharge the batteries.

He said: 'We would have liked a game next week but there"s a few guys carrying knocks so we"re going to get them in for a few weeks training to get them refreshed and ready for the mid-week games.

'The second half, we just didn"t turn up. It"s a disappointment and wee set-back but it"s how we respond to it that"s the most important thing.

'One thing we"re really going to have to look at is that three teams below us have came here and beat us, if you include Port Glasgow and Kilwinning.

'That"s something we"re going to need to address.'

RENFREW: Sexton, Hammond, Dickie, Fraser, Shearer, Gordon, Deas, Mort, Stewart (Colsh 63), Reid, Crowhurst (McKay 76). SUBS: Marshall, Lauchlan, Harvey