Threave Rovers hold their nerve to stay in West of Scotland League promotion race
The Castle Douglas side held off a comeback from Lugar Boswell Thistle to close to within four points of the promotion places.
Threave Rovers held their nerve on Saturday to ensure they stayed in the thick of the promotion race.
The Castle Douglas side were 3-0 up against Lugar Boswell Thistle and appeared to be cruising to victory – only for their rivals to score two quick goals.
But with nerves jangling, Liam Douglas scored a crucial fourth to keep Threave fourth in the West of Scotland League third division.
They are now four points behind Greenock Juniors, who hold the final promotion place but have played four games more.
Threave boss Danny Dunglinson said: 'When we got the third goal, we thought we were comfortable but we gave away a penalty.
'Ross Thomson had a rush of blood for a split second. Our goalie has the ball in his hands but he's had a kick out at the boy. He said the boy has giving him a niggle and he's reacted, which he knows he can't do.
'We were 3-0 up and comfortable and probably felt we were going to win four or five nil. They've got a penalty, it gives them a lift and then a couple of minutes later they get another goal.
'Luckily we got the fourth and it killed the game. The reaction was pleasing because I think a couple of weeks ago we might have crumbled and let them take a point.'
A tremendous Dylan Cairnie free-kick gave Threave an early lead which was soon extended by Harry Officer.
Dylan Cairnie scored a fine free-kick to give Threave an early lead, Harry Officer soon extending the advantage.
And when Cairnie got his second and Threave's third just after the break that appeared to be game over.
However, Lugar were then awarded a penalty and although Louis McLachlan saved the initial effort, Jackson Stevenson forced home the rebound.
A free-kick from Stevenson then gave the visitors real hope of salvaging something from the game.
But late on Liam Douglas headed home to settle the nerves and seal the points.
Dunglinson said: 'We needed to get the win and the three points. Luckily the teams above us slipped up so it moves us a wee bit closer.
'We're clinging on in there – we've a big run coming up with a lot of games in a short space of time.'
Threave now have a series of midweek games coming up, which starts with a double header against Glasgow Uni.
They head to the central belt on Saturday before welcoming the students to Meadow Park on Wednesday.
The gaffer added: 'It's always hard when you play a team twice consecutively or close together.
"I always think if you win the first game it makes the second game harder because it's fresh in their memory, they know how you play.
'We've four boys missing on Saturday so if we can manage to get a result come the Wednesday we'll have four key players back so that could work in our favour, but we're focusing on getting a result first.
'We're going to need everybody over the next few weeks. We're not naive, we know boys can't play 90 minutes every Wednesday and Saturday.
'We'll need to manage boys' minutes, nobody will play 90 minutes in every game from now on.
'If we manage to get ahead in a game we'll get boys off or we'll just need to rotate.
'That's what we've got the squad for, they're all good enough, it'll just be picking the best team for each game.'
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