Johnstone Burgh will need to come from behind if they are to reach their first Scottish Junior Cup final in 25 years after losing 1-0 in the first leg.

The hosts started brightly, with the first chance coming in the fifth minute. Darren Christie pounced on a loose ball in midfield and ran at the Thistle defence, and struck just over the bar from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later, Christie had another chance to give us the lead when he got on the end of Ciaran Diver's flick on, ran at the Largs defence and shot from just inside the box. His shot was heading for the bottom corner but Thistle keeper Joe Wilton made the save.

On 17 minutes, there was a touching moment as the supporters situated in the cowshed unfurled a banner and held a minute's applause for local teenager Lucy Grant, who sadly lost her battle with epilepsy this week. Upon seeing this, Largs Thistle fans standing behind the goal also participated in the applause. To read more on Lucy's story and to donate click here.

In the 20th minute Max Kerr had a chance to break the deadlock when he intercepted a pass in the middle of the pitch. He then knocked it past the defender and found himself in a race with Joe Wilton to get to the ball first, but the Thistle keeper sensed the danger and managed to get to it just before Kerr.

With Burgh's early dominance starting to fade, the away side were coming into the game and registered their first chance of the match in the 25th when they had a free kick midway inside our half. It was crossed into the box to former Burgh defender Kieran Brady, but his header didn't trouble Luke Scullion.

Four minutes before the break, Burgh had a freekick just inside the opposition half, which was launched into the box, finding Diver. He headed it back across goal and Cammy Eadie looked as though he was going to knock it in to give The Burgh the lead but Wilton was off his line as quick as a flash and punched it away before the Burgh centreback could connect with the ball.

Diver and Ross Davidson both had chances in the 54th minute. But apart from that, Burgh couldn't regain the dominance and high-tempo football they'd shown in the early stages of the match.

By the 57th minute Largs were quite comfortable in the match, and had a great chance to take the lead. Will Sewell was played through by Jamie Martin. Anticipating a cross, both Kian Gilday and Cammy Eadie slid in to block the cross. But the cross never came, as Sewell cut back inside onto his left foot and shot at goal. Thankfully, though, Danny O'Neill was quick to close down Sewell's shot.

The visitors were starting to ramp up the pressure and take control. In the 65th minute, they had another chance to open the scoring. A cross from the right wing found Sewell, but the cross was just a tad too high for Sewell and the striker couldn't make a proper connection with the ball, and he headed wide.

Largs Thistle then had the best chance of the match so far in the 66th minute. An aerial ball into the box from Connor Bradley was flicked on by Travis Stracey to Liam McVey. As McVey ran onto it, and looked to strike it first time, he was brought down and referee Jamie Wilkie pointed to the spot. Will Sewell stepped up to take it and, although it was a well-taken spot-kick, Scullion made a terrific save to keep the match level.

With 12 minutes remaining, Burgh had a chance as two substitutes combined. Scullion's goal kick was headed on by Stuart McCann to find Kyle Lafferty. The Burgh striker forced Wilton into another save, as his strike from outside the box was parried away to safety.

Then, in the 83rd minute, came the definitive moment of the first leg. An inswinging corner was glanced in by Cory Hughes, who got the faintest of touches to give Thistle the lead.

With two minutes to play, Largs almost scored from another corner. With the corner swinging into the net, Scullion remained alert and beat it away.

Half Time: 0-0

Full Time: 0-1

Starting XI (subs): Scullion, Mullen, Gilday, Eadie, O'Neill, Esplin (C), Christie (S McCann 75), Davidson, Diver (Lafferty 75), McDonald (Mason 63), Kerr (MacKenzie 75)

Man Of The Match: Luke Scullion

A selection of images can be found below. For more images, please click here.

Thank you to all who turned it in huge numbers to support The Burgh. Although it was a disappointing result, it is only half time in the tie and we still have 90 minutes to turn this around. ICYMI, the second leg will be played on 18th May at 14:00, not on 4th May as originally scheduled. On Wednesday we return to league action as we make the journey to Hannah Park to take on Shotts. Kick off is at 18:45. Please note, there will not be a supporters bus running for this. Then, on Saturday we return to Keanie to face Pollok. Kick off is at 14:00.