Last-gasp goal leaves derby honours even
Newmains Utd .. 3 Carluke Rovers .. 3 Ben Ramage Jonny Rawlings used his head to score a dramatic lastditch equaliser for Newmains, giving boss Paul Davies a headache he is happy to have.
Midfielder Rawlings was dropped from the starting lineup for the derby clash at Victoria Park, with in-form Andrew Mackenzie given the nod instead.
But with United trailing 3-2 the English ace stepped off the bench to flick home a 95th-minute leveller and extend the team’s unbeaten league run to four games.
It sparked scenes of jubilation among the home players and now co-bosses Davies and Craig Gupwell have a decision to make for Saturday’s trip to Johnstone Burgh.
Davies said: “Jonny has played most games for us this season. He’s been carrying a slight knock and has missed some training sessions.
“Andrew Mackenzie has been nothing short of outstanding since he came in.
“Andrew sat on the sidelines for weeks and every time he came on he answered all the questions.
“Jonny not starting was nothing to do with Jonny not being picked. It was about Macca taking his chance but Jonny answered in the best way possible.
“He’s now given us a real headache going into the Johnstone Burgh game because he went on and scored the goal.”
In damp conditions and on a heavy pitch the first league clash of the season between the Lanarkshire neighbours was not pretty at times. But it was full of energy and heart with both sides going hammer and tongs.
Newmains raced into a 20th-minute lead when Scott Ballantyne ran on to a brilliant sliderule pass then crashed home.
But Rovers hit back within four minutes when new signing Connor Macdonald cut in from the right and squeezed a shot in off United goalie Gordon Bruce.
Ne w ma i n s found themselves chasing the game when Greg Kane put Carluke 2-1 up nine minutes before the break.
The home side kept their shape and their composure and won a penalty on 54 minutes when Ballantyne was sent tumbling by Chedu.
After initially awarding a free-kick the referee changed his mind and pointed to the spot and John Watson smashed home.
But after getting back on level terms they found themselves trailing again with 11 minutes left on the clock.
This time sub Ross Mcneil got on the end of a knockdown to beat Bruce.
It looked like United might be down and out but Rawlings had other ideas as he got to a Cammy Browning long throw-in first to bag a point.
Davies said: “The game was a bit of a blur. It was very dramatic at the end. We tried to make it a derby. That was our team talk.
“I certainly felt the pressure going into the game. I didn’t know how Carluke would turn up but I think they were cautious of Newmains because of the turnaround at the club.
“They treated the game with respect but there’s always pressure on a derby.”