Carluke Rovers win Central Scotland Division

Sep 3 2009 by Billy Hillan, Hamilton Advertiser

CARLUKE ROVERS were the only county club to clock up a win in the Central Second Division on Saturday, beating Wishaw 2-1.

Forth hit back from being 2-0 down against Greenock to take a 3-2 lead but dropped out of the game and conceded a late equaliser.

John Barclay at left-back fired Wishaw into a first-half lead with a volley from the edge of the box after a Darren Cossar corner was only partially cleared.

But a single goal lead was poor compensation for their first-half pressure and they paid the penalty when Carluke moved into the driving seat after the break.

Veteran defender Andy Noble came up for a corner and slotted the ball away at the back post. Then right-back Adam Moffat volleyed in the winner 10 minutes later.

Rovers boss Whitey Moffat said: "In the first half Wishaw played well and I was quite pleased we went in only 1-0 down. We had a serious talk during the break and in the second half we knuckled down and got on with the job."

Rovers had a lengthy casualty list - Sean Quinn, Pat McAuley, Mark Reid, John Savage, Mark Weir, Steve Ferguson and Jim McGowan. Now Kris Jarvie has been added to that list.

Wishaw boss Alex Young said; "I thought we should have had the game dead and buried by half-time - we should have been three or four up instead of 1-0. I was very pleased with the way the boys played - just disappointed that they didn't score more goals in the first half."

David Lynch was injured and James McBride failed a pre-match fitness test, meaning a re-shuffle in a midfield which was further weakened when Lindsay Nisbet had to be pulled into defence when Derek Ralston was injured.

Forth called on their Murphy double act to climb back into the game when Gordon fired over a cross which Alan steered into the net.

Alan Cameron hit two goals within 10 minutes of the restart to put Forth ahead - only for the side to take their foot off the pedal, allowing Greenock to grab a late equaliser.

Manager John McGhee said: "When we came in at half-time 2-1 down after having a doing, you think you'd settle for a draw but when we went 3-2 up we should have closed the game down and gone on to win quite comfortably."

Royal Albert lost 4-3 at home to Johnstone Burgh, with manager Iain McCluskie moaning: "Our forwards are doing their job by scoring goals but we're leaking goals at the back."

Burgh scored first, with James Nelson setting up the equaliser for James Richardson. Richardson again and then Scott McLachlan from the spot after he had been brought down gave Albert a 3-1 lead. Then came the collapse.

McCluskie added: "We had another young ref in charge but what a difference from last week. Maybe there's a brighter future after all."