Thorn Athletic vs Bonnyton Thistle

Thorn Athletic and Bonnyton Thistle shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Thorn Athletic Sports Academy on Wednesday night.

Corey Pearson gave Thorn the lead from the penalty spot in the 10th minute before Louis Kerr equalised with a penalty for Bonnyton in the 66th minute.

The evening also brought an early setback for Thorn when striker Nathan McLelland suffered a broken collar bone and had to leave the game after just nine minutes.

Thorn had the first attempt of the match inside the opening minute, but the effort went wide.

Bonnyton then sent an effort over the bar in the second minute before the visitors were forced into an early change after their goalkeeper required treatment.

Thorn were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute and Pearson stepped up to convert from the spot in the 10th minute to put the home side 1-0 ahead.

McLelland was forced off shortly afterwards, with David McKenna coming on in his place.

Thorn continued to look for opportunities. A shot in the 11th minute was initially dropped by the Bonnyton goalkeeper before he recovered and gathered the ball.

Jordan Baird was involved in another close Thorn chance, with the effort going just over the bar.

Thorn put together another promising move in the 23rd minute. Pearson played the ball to Michael Moynihan, who delivered a good cross towards McKenna. The substitute stretched to reach it but could not make the required contact and the ball went out.

A minute later Thorn had another shot at goal, but the effort went over.

Bonnyton threatened in the 25th minute when Baird produced a strong tackle to stop the attack.

The visitors created another opportunity in the 31st minute when a corner found a Bonnyton player, but the resulting header went off target.

Thorn were awarded a free-kick in the 34th minute after a Bonnyton player pushed Pearson following a pass from MacAuley Wilson. The resulting free-kick did not trouble the visitors.

Bonnyton continued to push before the interval. A free-kick in the 41st minute was sent well over the goal before another attack a minute later.

Pearson then found Moynihan, whose cross picked out McKenna in the 43rd minute. McKenna connected with the ball but sent his effort over the middle of the goal.

A late long-range Thorn effort also went wide as the home side went into half-time with a 1-0 advantage.

Thorn came close again six minutes after the restart when McKenna stretched to meet the ball but was unable to make enough contact to turn it into the net.

Bonnyton made a double change on the hour, with Dylan Howarth and Louis Kerr replacing Kris Chisholm and Kennedy.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute after the Bonnyton player was brought down by Thorn goalkeeper Liam McWilliams.

Kerr took the spot-kick and converted to bring Bonnyton level at 1-1.

Thorn continued to search for another goal. Pearson tried his luck from a free-kick in the 75th minute, but the effort went to the right of the goal.

The home side were unable to find a winner and the points were shared after a 1-1 draw.

The result leaves Thorn fourth in the West of Scotland Football League First Division with 10 points from five matches. They have won three, drawn one and lost one, scoring 12 goals and conceding three.

Thorn are next in action away to St Andrews United in the first round of the South Region Challenge Cup.