Hurlford Utd 1 Kilwinning Rangers 1 as Chris Strain claims 'harsh' red card cost side victory

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Chris Strain insists Chris McGowan's 'harsh' red card wrecked Kilwinning's chance of leaving Blair Park with all three points.The Buffs boss watched David Ramsay give his side a 32nd minute lead in yesterday's West of Scotland League Premier Division clash.But the visitors' afternoon threatened to unravel after five frantic minutes at the start of the second half.First, Jack Whittaker turned home Lewis Morrison's cross to haul Hurlford level.

Moments later, Buffs full-back McGowan was sent packing for a reckless lunge on Paul McKenzie.Kilwinning did well to see out the remaining 40 minutes relatively comfortably with 10-men to claim a point.But gaffer Strain told Ayrshire Football News: "I think we would probably have won the game if we had 11 v 11 for 90 minutes. "I thought we were the better team.

First half we dominated the game. We were well worth the 1-0 lead, maybe more. That's my only disappointment - that we should have been further to the good."Second half we lose a goal straight away with sloppy play and then just as we regroup Chrissy gets sent off."The referee thinks Chrissy caught him too high and the ball wasn't there to be won."I don't agree with him.

It's harsh, but that's his view on things."From there I don't think Hurlford had a clear opportunity. We're unlucky not to win the game to be honest."Kilwinning had the advantage of a strong wind at their backs in the first half and they, perhaps unsurprisingly, went on to create the lion's share of the chances.'Ford keeper Martin MacDonald was called into action early to deny Ben Lewis and Jordan Stuart with solid stops before the post came to his rescue to keep out Kieran Woods' header.The home side had their moments though and Morrison was unlucky to see