Lanark are Miles better as Craig hits four goals

May 15 2008

FOUR-GOAL hero Craig Miles fired Lanark United into seventh heaven and a step closer to the Central League First Division title in a 7-0 demolition job at St Anthony’s.

Now they face Rutherglen Glencairn sat Moor Park on Saturday in a must-win clash as they tey to realise their promotion dream.

Lanark’s late-April form slump led to them being toppled from the top spot by Ashfield, who have completed their season with a totasl of 41 points.

On Monday night, Port Glasgow won 1-0 to leapfrog Lanark and move into second spot on 41 points, while third-placed Lanark have 39, with one game to go.

United stormed back from their 3-1 midweek defeat at home to Cumbernauld to crush the Ants with their biggest win in years. Beaming manager Tony McInally said: “Miles is a natural goal-scorer but needs to work harder on his fitness and workrate. If he can add those to his game, he will be a terrific prospect.

“We knew we would be stronger going into the end of the season, with Davie Middleton, Steve McCluskey, Craig Miles and Kieron Downs all coming back.

“Now we’ll be focusing 100 per cent. on Saturday’s game against Glencairn.

“If we win we’re up and while the championship is another thing, it’s still in our own hands.

“The players were annoyed at themselves for passing up the opportunity to clinch things at Cumbernauld in midweek, and that showed at St Anthony’s on Saturday.”

Captain Craig Stark opened the floodgates by heading in crosses from Tom Hanlon and Mark Keegans.

Middleton added a third from the spot after Hanlon was impeded, and Miles made it 4-0 at the interval.

Miles continued that form after the break by completing his hat-trick.

Larkhall Thistle rounded off their league card with a 1-0 defeat at home to promotion-chasing Port Glasgow.

Manager Bobby Crilly said: “It was a tight game but it was obvious that they had something to play for and we didn’t.

“Brian Watret, Andy Dorrans and Vinnie Conway all had good chances within the first 15 minutes but the only goal came from a header at a set-piece.”

Relegated Blantyre Vics wrapped up their First Division card on Wednesday with a 3-1 defeat by Port Glasgow.