Joy for Jason as late goal sinks Spartans

THE SPARTANS ......................................... 2 STIRLING UNIVERSITY ............................ 3

Ten-man Stirling University stunned Spartans in the South Challenge Cup on Saturday with a sublime stoppage time winner from midfield star Jason Jarvis.

The game looked like heading for an extra 30 minutes when deep into injury time, Calum Heath won a free kick for Stirling about 25 yards from goal on the left-hand side.

And Jarvis stepped up to despatch an unstoppable right-foot strike into the top left-hand corner – giving the students an impressive victory.

The win followed the University’s midweek thrashing of Northumbria University in the British Universities and Colleges Sport Premier Division and the two victories gives Chris Geddes’ side a huge momentum boost ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash with Linlithgow Rose.

The coach was delighted with his team’s performance, saying: “We were quite happy going in at half-time 1-1 but to limit Spartans to very few chances – even when we were a man down – was very pleasing.

“We needed a bit of magic to win the match; we got a free kick about 25 yards out in the 93rd minute – and Jason bends it into the top corner.”

Spartans started strongest and within five minutes they went a goal ahead when Scott Maxwell netted from a Blair Atkinson cross. but 10 minutes later, former Falkirk player Jarvis drilled the ball into the box and it was deflected past the helpless Spartans goalkeeper for 1-1.

In the second half, Stirling stunned their opponents by going ahead in 54 minutes when a Jarvis corner was headed into the roof of the net by debutant Liam McMaster.

However, the University’s momentum took an immediate knock as they went a man down. Centre back Alex Webb was shown a straight red card after it was judged he fouled a Spartans player through on goal.

Despite stoic defending from the depleted Stirling side, the equaliser did come for Spartans when Mikey Allan blasted home a loose ball at the back post with 20 minutes left to play.

Spartans sensed an opportunity to grab a winner but Stirling captain Angus Mailer kept his side disciplined and extra time loomed.

Jarvis then stepped up the mark to seal the tie in sensational fashion.

Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie at Forthbank against Linlithgow Rose is pay-at-thegate with entry at £6 for adults and £3 for concessions.

Stirling University: Walker, Mailer, Webb, Quigley, Downie, Berry, Brown, Chia (Burrows 57), Baird, Jarvis, McMaster (Heath 75).