Cumbernauld sink Shotts for third win in a row

United were not at their best but a goal in each half of the game was enough to secure the win over a Shotts team struggling in the league.

This was United’s third win in a row and the Cumbernauld side now lie fifth in the Super League First Division table.

A Dylan McGuigan shot for Cumbernauld in the fifth minute of the match was the first incident in the game.

It was Shotts, however, who threatened a few minutes later when, from a corner, Ross Brash’s flagkick was met by Gavin McPherson whose fierce strike was fortunately diverted from goal.

But in the 12th minute United took the lead.

A long ball from the right found Stevie Mullen unmarked on the left wing and the experienced Cumbernauld striker’s shot past advancing Shotts goalkeeper Gary White agonisingly seemed to take forever to reach the goal and put the locals ahead.

This opener was the prelude to a spell of United pressure and the home team dominated for long periods in an attempt to increase their lead.

An Alan Clark header cleared the crossbar and, from a pass from Kris Irvine, Mullen also blazed over.

Then a Ross Foley cross reached McGuigan who, in turn, found Davie Dickson, but the midfielder shot wide.

In a rare Shotts attack, United skipper Ryan Sullivan had to come to his team’s rescue with a timely clearance but United should have been in a more comfortable position as the half-time whistle approached.

In a final first-half attack Dom O’Halloran tapped the ball past Gary White in the visiting goal only to see a defender make a goalline clearance.

After the interval the visitors came more into the game and in a dangerous move, a Jordan O’Donnell cross from the right found Brash in the clear.

The Shotts striker should have scored but his effort was blocked to preserve United’s lead.

An injured Foley was replaced by Dale Clark just in time to see a strike from Shotts’ Gavin McPherson clear the crossbar.

Irvine was then substituted by Mikey McLaughlin.

In the 75th minute after more home pressure, Cumbernauld got the second goal they deserved when a Mullen pass to McGuigan saw the midfielder slip the ball past the opposing keeper to ensure maximum points for the home team.

Cumbernauld will be going for four in a row this Saturday when they welcome eighth placed Greenock Juniors to Guy’s Meadow on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.

That will kick off a hectic spell of three games in five days for John Queen’s side who travel to Shotts for their return league fixture on Monday and are away again to Blantyre Vics next Wednesday.

Both midweek games start at 6.45pm.