Thistle claim top spot in section one

Derby wins put Larkhall out in front

Larkhall Thistle followed up their 3-1 midweek Sectional League Cup win over Lanark by beating Lesmahagow 3-2 on Saturday to claim top spot in section one.

That gave them a two-point lead over Forth Wanderers, who clocked up an impressive 5-2 win over Royal Albert, then fought back from going 2-0 down at Lanark to draw 2-2.

Manager Duncan Sinclair said: “We started off slowly, but after 10 or 15 minutes we moved on top.”

Graham Gracie gave Jags a half-time lead on Wednesday following good build-up play by Josh Payne and Brian Jack, and Jon Mcstay then made it 2-0.

Niall Reynolds conceded an owngoal, then Gracie blasted in a chipped pass from Billy Robb.

On Saturday Thistle were reduced to 10 men when Scott Nicholl was shown a second yellow card in 20 minutes.

Goals from Greg Forbes and Craig Burns gave them a 2-0 lead, and after ’Gow scored a penalty, Gracie set up Davie Reid for a late winner.

Lanark held the edge for much of their game against Forth, snatching a 17th-minute lead when Ronan Kierney raced down the left wing and slipped the ball in for Darren Mchugh to steer into the net.

Kierney doubled that lead with an angled drive in 40 minutes, but Willie Mclaren pulled Forth back into the game two minutes drive.

Kierney, Jordan Munn, Kyle Gillespie, Hugh Kerr and James Brophy all had chances to increase Lanark’s lead before Mclaren provided the chip for Kris Jarvie to head in an 88thminute equaliser.

Lanark manager John Brogan said: “I thought we were the better side and deserved to win.

“I’m really pleased with the way we played – Forth have a top player in Willie Mclaren and you can see what he can do.

“We acquitted ourselves really well against Forth and Larkhall, and Thistle later with a fine are one of the better sides. We did well, but they deserved to win.”

Forth boss Jamie Mckenzie said: “At the start we just didn’t turn up – Lanark were probably the better side and will think they should have won the game.

“To go 2-0 down and come back to 2-2 is commendable, but you can’t afford to give teams two goals of a start.

“However, the boys were happy with a point.”

In midweek Mclaren hit a hat-trick in the 5-2 win over Royal Albert, with Jarvie and Connor Mcardle the other scorers.

Josh Anderson and Michael netted for Albert. Neil