EAST OF SCOTLAND
Broxburn Athletic were left to rue a second defensive collapse in four days as Crossgates Primrose staged a sensational comeback from 4-1 down to win 5-4 at Albyn Park.
Having conceded two late goals in drawing 3-3 at Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale midweek, the Brox surged into a 3-0 half-time lead through goals from Greg Binnie, Gary Brass and Cammy Ross.
Four goals in 10 minutes early in the second half saw the home side’s lead cut to 4-3.
Johnny Galloway had reduced the arrears before Brass restored Broxburn’s three goal advantage. However a quickfire double by Scott Lawrie dragged the visitors back into the game.
Athletic keeper Connor Wallace then prevented an equaliser with an excellent penalty save - but was unable to perform a repeat as Lawrie fired home a 90th minute winner from the spot after a Primrose trialist had earlier levelled things up.
Broxburn got themselves in front on 29 minutes when David Greenhill’s powerful drive was parried by Craig Burt, to the feet of the opportunistic Binnie who tucked the ball away.
Just one minute later, the Brox extended their lead when Greg Redmond’s cross was flapped at by Burt, with Brass nodding into the empty net.
It appeared to be smooth sailing for Broxburn five minutes before half-time when attacking talisman Ross danced into the box and slotted past Burt.
Crossgates began the comeback in the 48th minute when Galloway fired home from 20 yards with his effort being too strong for Wallace, who was able to get a hand to the ball.
Brass nabbed his second goal of the game when Liam Ireland’s cross found the striker in the box to seemingly quell any hopes of a comeback, but Lawrie made his presence felt two minutes later in the opposition box by chesting the ball down and shooting past Wallace.
The same player saw a wonderful strike kiss off the bar and in on the 56th minute to make it 4-3.
Shortly after Brass almost got a hattrick of his own, Lawrie would squander a chance for a third as Wallace pushed the striker’s penalty onto the post.
However, Crossgates kept plugging away and their trialist finally earned the equaliser that their play had deserved after miscommunication between Wallace and his defence from a goal-kick.
Broxburn’s nightmare was complete when they conceded another penalty in the 90th minute. This time, Lawrie made no mistake to seal the win.
Elsewhere, Linlithgow Rose jumped up into third place on the back of a 3-0 triumph away to Dunbar United.
David Brownlie volleyed home the opener for Brown Ferguson’s side on 35 minutes before Owen Ronald slotted home a second just before the break after Kyle Wilson’s effort had been blocked.
Wilson, though, would get his maiden Linlithgow goal in the second half as he completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute.
Blackburn United saw their scheduled away clash at Newtongrange Star called off due to a waterlogged pitch.