Lanark seek play-off place

May 28 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

LANARK United face a crunch clash at Moor Park on Friday night, knowing that a win over relegation-haunted Port Glasgow will guarantee them a play-off place.

They warmed up for that task with a convincing 3-0 midweek home win over mid-table Maybole, but lost momentum on Saturday when a 2-0 reverse saw conquerors Kilbirnie Ladeside clinch promotion to the Stagecoach Super League Premier Division.

But there’s still a chance to bring an eventful season to an exciting and rewarding conclusion.

Manager Tony McInally said: “If we win on Friday nobody can touch us for third place and a play-off spot probably against Glenafton.

“Nobody outside our dressing room expected us to be where we are now – what we have achieved this season is remarkable, and that’s down to the players.

“They have performed brilliantly – in the last eight of the West of Scotland Cup, last 16 of the Scottish Cup, last eight in the League CUp, and third in the Division.

“But if we go to the wire we face the scenario where some of my guys will miss it because they’ve booked their holidays for mid-June.”

Defender David Gray, who missed the Kilbirnie game, is set to return on Friday but Craig Stark and Craig Miles are both out with hamstring injuries.

Eight players – Davie Middleton, Mark Haddow, Grant Cuthill, Tom Hanlon, Paul Finnegan, Kieron Downs, Tommy Franch and Davie McGuire – are playing while carrying injuries.

Franch scored against Maybole, with Cuthill doubling the lead from the spot before half-time. Haddow headed the third in 60 minutes.

While United lost 2-0 at Kilbirnie they were never outplayed.

Manager McInally added: “I don’t think we deserved to lose 2-0, although they probably edged the game in terms of possession and chances.

“Kilbirnie, in my eyes, are the best footballing side in this division but this was one of those games where the first goal was going to win it, and unfortunately they got it.”