Cuthill keeps nerve to send Lanark up

Jun 18 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

GRANT Cuthill held his nerve last Friday night to slot home a last-gasp penalty and send Lanark United into the Stagecoach Super League Premier Division.

His clincher two minutes from time gave United a 3-2 aggregate win after trailing 2-1 from the first leg at Glenafton on Wednesday night.

With the aggregate score poised at 2-2, the tall midfielder was barged off the ball as he prepared to shoot and, after words with captain and set-piece specialist Tom Hanlon, decided to take the responsibility.

“I tried not to think about what was happening as I was standing there,” admitted Grant.

“I had decided on how I was going to take it, and then just concentrated on putting it away. Fortunately for me the goalkeeper went the other way.”

He added: “It was a great feeling and I’m pleased for the rest of the players – I thought we deserved it on the night.”

Trialist Harry McLaughlin gave Lanark a first-half lead in the first leg but Glens – bossed by Motherwell-born ex-Rangers midfielder Gordon Dalziel – hit back to win 2-1.

Lanark, with former boss Derek Brown and coach Steve Pillans in temporary charge, had the better of the outfield play in the second leg at Moor Park on Friday, especially after Glens were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time.

But they found their way to goal blocked by the confident positioning and handling of former Larkhall keeper Chris Fahey, as he tipped over fierce long-range drives from Davie Gray and Paul Burns, and held a stinging header from Davie Middleton.

The breakthrough came in 77 minutes when a cross from sub Kevin Burns was flicked on by Tommy Franch and right-back Paul Finnegan slammed the ball low into the net.

Late drama saw Finnegan red-carded three minutes from time for an incident on the edge of the box.

But within a minute play had raged to the other end of the field where Lanark won the decisive penalty that was to take them up. Captain Tom Hanlon said: “I think over the season we deserved to go up.

“I’m delighted for the players, especially long-serving guys like Craig Stark and Davie Middleton who, like me, were here when the club was relegated.

“I missed the start of the season through injury but was pleased to get back in time to play a part in getting promotion.”