For the visit to League Champions Irvine Meadow, Rabs brought back Bell, Murray and Fulton to the starting line-up.

It took until the 12th  minutes before any attempt at goal was made, Ryan blasting the ball well over Bell's bar from fully 20 yards, minutes later McInally saved his side by kicking a Hamilton shot off the line.

Meadow took the lead in the 22nd minute when they were awarded a soft free-kick resulting in an even softer booking for Carberry. Ryan fired in the free from well outside the box, it should have been a straight forward save by Bell but the keeper fumbled it and it landed in the net.

Rabs fought back and only a well timed tackle by Robertson prevented Anderson bursting through on goal. At the other end Bell dealt confidently with a Strain snap shot. Rabs were denied a blatant penalty when Murray was downed in the box despite both the referee and his assistant being a few yards away.

A minute before the break Rabs were reduced to 10 men when Docherty was involved in a tussle with Turner the referee deemed his involvement in the incident worthy of a red card with the Irvine player fortunate to be shown only yellow.

                       Half Time; Irvine Meadow 1 v Rob Roy 0.

In the second minute Bell made a fine save from a Jaconelli header however five minutes later the home side doubled their lead when a Turner shot was only partly cleared Strain lashed the loose ball past Bell from the edge of the box. Rabs sent on McQuilken for Hughes then Gray for Lennox.

Hamilton should have made it three heading against the underside of the bar the same player headed over minutes later when in a good scoring position. Rabs seemed to weather the storm McDonald headed a Gray free-kick past the post and Anderson just failed to connect with a McQuilken cross. With twenty minutes remaining Rabs introduced Moore for Fulton. Anderson saw his shot blocked he then hammered the rebound over the top. Moore was making an impact on the game driving into the side netting and coming close on another couple of occasions.

Rabs could'nt break down a well organised Meadow defence and the points stayed in Ayrshire.

                        Full Time; Irvine Meadow 2 v Rob Roy 0

Verdict; A goal down and reduced to 10 men for the second half, this was always going to be a mountain to climb for the Rabs. In the end it was the homeside who did enough over the 90 minutes to deserve their win and take the points.

Ref Watch; An absolute stinker from Referee Newlands. Docherty's sending off was harsh and unwarranted. some of his decisions were to say the least baffling as were his bookings. Riled the visiting support with his inconsistancy of the rules, turning down a stonewall penalty and general handling of the match. A poor afternoons work by another referee who wants to take centre stage.