TO lose is always difficult, but to go down with the last kick of the game after holding the lead for 80 of the 84 minutes played is gut-wrenching.

A well-judged kick from full-back Rory McGhee wide out on the left inflicted this painful defeat on the hosts.

That Biggar should have won the game is not in doubt. Two penalties and a try in the first half, followed by a second try at the start of the second half should have seen the side kick on but on each occasion they lost control and ended up conceding a score to the visitors who took every chance presented to them.

Biggar’s agony was increased as prop Donald Voas, who has put in some big shifts since arriving at the club, suffered a rib injury that could force him on the sidelines for some weeks.

However youngster Calvin Henderson showed promise, scrummaging and running strongly.

Andrew King (muscle damage) and flanker Lewis McLachlan (shoulder stinger) also picked up injuries but both were able to return to action.

McLachlan put in another huge shift with some devastating defence, purposeful contributions in attack and some brilliant touches in the loose, all of which saw him deservedly pick up the Biggar man of the match award. Ben Johnson took the accolade for the visitors.

Biggar were boosted on Saturday by the return to the squad of Douglas Notman after suspension.

This was Troon-based Marr’s first to Biggar - the only previous encounter at 1st XV level between the clubs was at Marr’s ground in 1988.

Coincidentally, the match sponsors for Saturday were husband and wife Tom and Alison Cockburn, Tom and several of his guests having been part of the Biggar XV on that day which saw Biggar triumph by 34-0.

This was an eagerly-awaited contest with Marr just ahead of Biggar in the National League table. There is little to split the bottom half of the table so this was an opportunity for Biggar – and Marr - to climb the table.

King struck home a penalty for Biggar after four minutes to open the scoring and followed up with another to give the hosts a clear advantage.

Better still was the riposte from the restart with Donald Voas hitting up well in the middle of the park. A Biggar scrum saw the ball shipped wide to King who made good ground before setting up ruck ball which was transferred quickly to Craig Bachurzewski who advanced play.

Two passes later and winger Jonno Smart was over in the top corner – a cracking try!

But Marr were soon back in it as an opportunist try and conversion brought the score to 11-7.

It remained that way until half time with the game finely balanced but with Biggar turning to play towards the clubhouse and with the wind on their backs.

A Biggar penalty paved the way for the first score of the half. Having kicked to the Marr 22 Biggar won the resultant lineout through Jamie Orr and while the attempted drive was stymied Craig Simmons burst free to carry the ball to 10 metres out. David Reive fed right to King on the crash ball, the big Kiwi thundering over for a great, yet simple, try.

Crucially, as it turned out, King was wide with the conversion, his focus disrupted by a Marr player who advanced to charge down the conversion attempt.

As Biggar struggled to regain control of the ball Marr gained possession and used their pack to good effect to work quick rucks on the right. Play was then switched left where winger Scott Bickerstaff crossed for a try which McGhee converted to put his side within two points of the lead at 16-14.

With just 10 minutes of play remaining it became clear that the next score would prove decisive.

Biggar appeared to have got off the hook when a penalty kick for the visitors seemed to have crept inside the posts but neither the touch judges nor referee agreed.

Just minutes later however, and in the face of some determined play, McLachlan was penalised and McGhee added the coup-de-grace.

There is a now a fortnight break in National league action with the next match an away game to Jed.