'Gow can't be saved by Quitongo's first goal

Mar 24 2011 By David Bell, Hamilton Advertiser

JOSE Quitongo's first goal for Lesmahagow wasn’t enough to inspire a fightback against Forth.

Forth’s Hugh Kelly and Barry Canning linked well to set up the opener for Gordon Murphy before Canning latched on to a superb Craig Crawford pass to round the keeper to make it 2-0 four minutes before the break.

Former Hamilton Accies star Quitongo pulled one back on 60 minutes with a finish on the angle, but Darren Jaffery’s red car for a last-man foul left Gow – who saw Alan Shields and Brian Crawford leave to take the reins at Blantyre this week – with a mountain to climb.

"I thought we deserved at least our two-goal half-time lead," said Forth boss John McGhee. "Lesmahagow re-grouped at half-time and put us under pressure for a spell."

Gow manager Robert Irving said: "It was a blow losing Shields and Crawford 48 hours before kick-off but, in fairness, Alan had kept me informed about his managerial plans and Blantyre interview."

Both sides are in D & D Programmes Central League Cup action this week, with Lesmahagow hosting Petershill, while Forth visit St Roch’s.