Blantyre move into sixth place in the Central League First Division but Larkhall, Thorniewood United and Lesmahagow all face a relegation dog-fight.

Mar 18 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

JAMES Cochrane scored twice in Blantyre’s 4-1 win over Larkhall Thistle, a result that hauled Vics up into sixth place in the Central League First Division.

Ryan McAloon fired Vics into a 10th-minute lead and, after Gary Espener had shot wide, Cochrane used his pace to take him clear of Thistle’s central defenders to slide the ball past Kevin Budinauckas.

Cochrane then scored his second and Blantyre’s third, but a slip-up between defenders Del Smith and Neil Newman let David Menelaws in to score just before the interval, giving Thistle fresh hope for the second half.

But that was ended when Budinauckas clashed with Vics sub Andy Forrester. After some words the former Partick Thistle keeper smacked a clearance off the striker’s back.

The ball fell to Paul Mallon and he returned it to Forrester, who cheekily flicked the ball over Budinauckas before tapping it into the empty net.

Vics boss Willie Harvey said: “It was a good result with a reasonable performance, but it was not our best.

“We’ve got a good young team and we’re looking to move up to fourth place soon to get on the fringe of the promotion hunt.”

But for three other county clubs the relegation trapdoor is starting to widen as Lesmahagow on eight points, Larkhall (9) and Thorniewood United (10) occupy three of the four bottom spots.

The troubled trio all lost on Saturday, with Lesmahagow crashing 2-1 at home to Vale of Leven while United slumped to an identical scoreline against St Anthony’s.

Larkhall manager Paul Anderson said: “We again played poorly. We’ve got nobody to blame but ourselves.

“We’re trying to hammer in the need to play with character and pride, but it’s just not happening for the team at the moment.”

Defender Kevin Carson and striker Stephen Donaghy are expected to be fit for Saturday’s game at Glasgow Perthshire, but Joe Coyle is still suspended.

Lesmahagow conceded an early goal as a Vale of Leven winger shot past Stewart Thomson at the near post.

Kevin McDade equalised with a powerful shot from a John Logan throw-in as he managed 90 minutes for the first time since moving from Lanark, but Vale snatched a winner in stoppage time.

Steve Cunningham and Matthew Aymard are both carrying knocks but could be fit to face Dunipace at home. Midfielder Barry Murdoch is a long-term casualty.