Derby win puts Carluke fourth
Albert denied a third successive triumph
Rovers ... 2 Royal Albert ....... 0 Victorious Carluke Rovers denied Royal Albert their third successive win and stretched their own unbeaten league run to four games, pushing them up to fourth in the Central Second Division.
Rovers started the more aggressive side, with Jon Wilson, Greg Fernie and Sam Biggart firing just wide, before Peter Lynn opened the scoring in 22 minutes from a Wilson chip.
Willie Haley passed up a couple of efforts for Albert before Lynn, Ian Watt and Chas Mccabe sent their efforts wide and over.
Fraser Scott and David Hamilton had further chances for Albert, but Fernie ended the game as a contest with his eighth goal of the season, finishing well following good work by Watt.
Carluke boss Colin Slater said: “First and foremost I was pleased to get the three points.
“The 12 points-winning sequence helps put is a good league position, going into the Christmas break.
“It was a scrappy game at times; we were a bit stretched to get 11 fit players, so I was pleased with their attitude and workmanship.
“It was a hard game, Albert made it difficult for us. We’ve played better many times but it’s three points, and a clean sheet, which is always pleasing.
“Peter Lynn has just come back from a bad injury, but nipped in at the back post to snap up a Jonny Wilson pass to score the opener.
“We had three chances cleared off the line before we got our second goal to give us a wee bit of clearance.”
Albert manager Jamie Nesbitt said: “I was disappointed and a bit deflated at the defeat, coming on the back of two really good victories in which we scored seven goals and conceded one.
“We played well enough to get into the game, but no excuses – Carluke did really well and deserved the three points.”
In the other Second Division match Lanark United beat East Kilbride Thistle 2-1.
Danny Faughnan had an early effort saved and Shaun Gallagher hit the side-netting before Faughnan tapped in a 40th-minute opener.
Thistle equalised in 50 minutes when Ryan Carnwath netted a penalty after Gary Hallford brought down Aaron Connelly.
United went close a couple of times, before Kieran Mcgurk hit a last-minute winner.
Newmains v Port Glasgow was postponed.
Albert made it difficult for us.