Unbeaten Rovers forge out in front of the pack

Carluke Rovers are now the only Central Second Division side on full points from three games after winning 3-2 at Dunipace.

That result put them three points clear of chasers St Anthony’s, Vale of Leven, Vale of Clyde, Bellshill and Gartcairn.

Both sides started confidently, but Rovers’ poor defending let Mark Miller score.

However, Carluke’s pressure paid off in 35 minutes when Ian Watt (right) headed in an Aldin El-zubaidi head-flick from a Mark Weir cross.

Rovers started the second half on the attack, with a Mark Haddow header cleared off the line, then an El-zubaidi header flew just wide.

But Dunipace pulled one back from the spot after Chick Mccole’s rash challenge.

Weir, Watt and Gary Gow went close before El-zubaidi equalised after good work from Weir and Haddow.

Then, five minutes into stoppage time, Weir smashed in a free kick for the winner.

Royal Albert beat Vale of Leven 4-1 to claim their first league win, with manager Jamie Nesbitt saying:“the boys were outstanding; that was our best performance of the season by far, and the best in my time here as manager.”

Albert led through Alan Campbell, who scored from a set-piece they had been working on since pre-season, and Scott Ballantyne (19) gave them a 2-0 half-time lead following good build-up play from Chris Dolan and Tom Forrest.

Jack Baptie then scored twice in the second half to clinch the 4-1 win.

Newmains United lost 5-1 at home to Gartcairn.

Manager Kevin Muirhead said:“it was an improvement on last week but it’s a worry that we lost four goals to set-pieces. Scott Steedman scored our goal. I have signed striker Justin Watson and left-back Luke Miller on loan deals from Stirling Albion.”