Renfrew remain without a win in the Scottish Lowland League West after a 3-1 defeat to Caledonian Braves at New Western Park.
Three first-half goals did the damage, with Ross McNeil, Struan Thompson and Connor McLaren putting the visitors 3-0 ahead before the break.
Renfrew improved in the second half and Logan Punton pulled a goal back in the 77th minute, but a late penalty was saved as the home side missed the chance to reduce the deficit further.
Caledonian Braves had the better of the opening stages and Renfrew goalkeeper Danny McLeay was called into action early, making a good save as a visiting forward raced through.
Aedan Gilfedder then almost created an opening for Renfrew down the left before testing the goalkeeper with a shot from distance a minute later.
The visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute through Ross McNeil.
Caledonian Braves doubled their advantage four minutes later when Struan Thompson struck from the edge of the box.
Renfrew’s difficult first half continued in the 33rd minute when Connor McLaren scored directly from a free-kick on the edge of the box to make it 3-0.
McLeay made further saves as the visitors continued to threaten before the break, with Renfrew going into half-time three goals behind.
The home side produced an improved performance after the restart.
Caledonian Braves continued to create chances, with McLeay making another save and the visitors also hitting the woodwork.
Renfrew finally found a way through in the 77th minute when Logan Punton pulled one back to make it 3-1.
The home side were then handed an opportunity to make it 3-2 when they were awarded a penalty in the 86th minute.
However, Caledonian Braves goalkeeper Ross Connelly made the save to preserve his side’s two-goal advantage.
Connelly was called upon again two minutes later and made another save as Renfrew continued to push late in the game.
There were no further goals as Caledonian Braves secured a 3-1 victory.
Renfrew acknowledged afterwards that the damage had been done during the opening 45 minutes, while pointing to their improved second-half display.
The defeat leaves Renfrew still searching for their first win of the season.
It follows last weekend’s South Region Challenge Cup exit, when Renfrew suffered a 5-3 defeat to Glasgow University at Petershill Park on Saturday, 15th August.
Glasgow University play three tiers below Renfrew, making the result a significant cup upset and adding to a difficult start to the season for Renfrew.
Latest results:
Upcoming fixtures:
Scottish Lowland League West:
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auchinleck Talbot | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 5 | +21 | 15 |
| 2 | Kilwinning Rangers | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 8 | +11 | 15 |
| 3 | Celtic B | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 10 | +13 | 13 |
| 4 | Pollok | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 13 |
| 5 | Caledonian Braves | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 12 | +6 | 13 |
| 6 | Largs Thistle | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 13 |
| 7 | Clydebank | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 13 | +4 | 10 |
| 8 | Troon | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 9 | +2 | 9 |
| 9 | Johnstone Burgh | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 8 |
| 10 | Beith Juniors | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 19 | -8 | 7 |
| 11 | Cumnock Juniors | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 5 |
| 12 | Albion Rovers | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 | -5 | 4 |
| 13 | Gretna 2008 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 22 | -11 | 4 |
| 14 | Cumbernauld Colts | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 3 |
| 15 | Renfrew | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 20 | -11 | 1 |
| 16 | Dalbeattie Star | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 16 | -13 | 1 |
| 17 | Newton Stewart | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 21 | -15 | 1 |