LOCHAR Thistle dropped points last week in their quest for the South of Scotland League title.
The Wilson Park side, who have 11 fixtures in various competitions currently scheduled throughout the month of April, were well-beaten last Wednesday night away to Newton Stewart before suffering another defeat on Saturday in New Abbey.
The Creesiders claimed a 5-1 victory at Blairmount Park to keep their own title hopes alive, Marcus Zygadlo netted a late consolation for the visitors.
Then on Saturday, Abbey Vale ran out 2-0 winners as Thistle made the slightly shorter journey to Maryfield Park.
Lochar had a good chance to open the scoring when a through ball from Lewis Todd released Robbie Hogg but ex Lochar keeper Taylor Hall made a superb save.
Scott Milligan then nutmegged Hall but a slight touch sent it inches by the post for a corner.
Lochar thought they had taken the lead midway through the half when Hogg beat the offside trap and slotted home, but the goal was chalked off for offside. Hall made two further saves to his his side in the contest.
Then, in a rare Vale attack on 41 minutes, a dangerous corner saw Konar Pietsch make a brilliant stop to keep things level at the break.
The second half was just seven minutes old when Vale opened the scoring. A cross field pass was controlled and fired home excellently past Pietsch by Lewis McKenna.
As the minutes passed by, Lochar had all the possession but could not break down a stubborn Vale defence, Hogg and Todd coming closest for the away side.
With minutes remaining, as Lochar piled bodies forward in search of at least a point, however, the home side broke away and sealed the win with a second goal through Cammy Edgar.
On Monday night Lochar returned to winning ways as they progressed to the semi finals of the Cree Lodge Cup following a 5-1 victory away to Wigtown.
Dev Nicholson and Luis Dalziel both bagged braces, while Rio Little added a fifth late on.
Tonight Thistle travel to Mid Annandale in the quarter finals of the Potts Cup.
