Wishaw close in on top spot with game in hand

Wishaw beat Blantyre Vics 3-1 to cling onto second place in the Central First Division, three points behind Benburb but with a game in hand.

High-scoring Wishaw also have a superior goal-difference of three.

Gerry Watt hit the opener with a shot just inside the box, Vinnie Mcguire made it 2-0 at half-time, then five minutes into the second half netted from the spot after he had been impeded.

Jake Hughes scored what proved to be a consolation for Vics.

Wishaw manager John Brogan said:“we’re really pleased with the result and an excellent performance, which keeps our promotion hopes very much alive.”

Vics boss John Fallon said:“that was the worst performance I’ve had to deal with but we will get over it.”

Lesmahagow produced their best performance of the season to fight back from an early goal to win 5-1 at home to Yoker.

Daniel Tobin saved a penalty to keep the score at 1-0, then Michael Brunton snapped up a Ryan Cherry pass and skipped between two defenders to equalise. Steven Higgins (left) seized the second-half spotlight with a well-taken hat-trick; latching onto Craig Steele’s throughball, netting a 25-yard free-kick and converting a Donnie Mcdougall pass for his third in 84 minutes.

Higgins turned provider three minutes later, passing for Jordan Whitefield to blast in a fifth.

Manager Robert Irving said:“it was a brilliant result and an excellent performance.” Shotts took a sixth-minute lead at St Roch’s when Ryan Kennedy scored from an Ally Martin corner, but Aaron Miller equalised midway through the first half, then snatched a late winner.

Forth Wanderers produced an encouraging performance, despite going down 1-0 away to leagueleaders Benburb.