Early lead is fatal for ’Ton rivals

Neilston came out on top in the proverbial six-pointer with Benburb at New Tinto Park.

The Farmer’s Boys came flying out of the traps and found themselves ahead inside the opening two minutes.

Slack Bens defending saw Daniel Bamford send in a swinging corner, which outfoxed the host’s backline and somehow found its way into the back of the net at the front post.

Martin Campbell and John Paul Dow’s side were clearly in the ascendancy and they quickly doubled their advantage to give themselves a two-goal cushion in Govan.

Euan Clark had laid the ball off to Craig Patterson but the former Bonnyton Thistle midfielder could only lash over the bar.

But keeper Robbie Graham’s long ball then found ex-Arthurlie man Brian Turner and the striker prodded through for Patterson, who nodded past Sommerville to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Benburb came out in the second half looking to find a way back into the game, with Neilston happy to sit back and soak up the pressure.

Graham was booked for time-wasting just five minutes into the half, with the Farmer’s Boys looking to see the game out.

But the hosts almost managed to claw themselves back into contention with a Gallacher free-kick crashing back off of the crossbar with Graham beaten.

At the other end, Clark had a header cleared before John Paterson also went close for Neilston.

But the Bens’woes were further compounded when Kieran Blackwood was shown a red card for a rash challenge.

Late chances would fall for both Diack and Martin Curren but their first-half exploits were enough to seal the three points for the Farmer’s Boys.

Neilston: Graham, Clark, Payne, Geddes, Young, Docherty, Bamford, Diack, Turner, Patterson, Curren.

Subs: Gunn, Beattie, Edwards, Paterson and Dow.