Kilsyth 1 Petershill 1: Rangers hold their ground in promotion race

A point gained, or two lost? There are two ways of viewing Kilsyth Rangers' 1-1 draw with Petershill at Duncansfield on Saturday.
Nicky Prentice in action for Kilsyth Rangers against PetershillNicky Prentice in action for Kilsyth Rangers against Petershill
Nicky Prentice in action for Kilsyth Rangers against Petershill

Perhaps the former is the more accurate. It was not a bad result in that Petershill, who are among the challengers did not gain any ground and others such as Irvine Meadow lost all three on the day.

There was a strange symmetry to the game; a goal in each half, both coming from set pieces and headed in by defenders. But that the visitors had by far the better of the second half is not in any doubt though.

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Rangers opened well and had two chances in the first five minutes.

First Paul McBride made a good run in but the keeper made a good save. Then McBride Paul put Diack through but once again Michael White came out and blocked.

Gradually Petershill began to assert themselves and Luke Crerand’s shot after a good run hit the side net before Andy Carlin saved well from Chris Hall.

But it was Rangers who broke the stalemate 10 minutes from half-time when Kevin McBride put a great free-kick right into the goalmouth for Chris Reid to rise above the visitors defence and head home.

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Petershill opened the second half opened on the attack and as they piled on the pressure Kilsyth’s Liam McCroary and Gary Kelly both picked up yellow cards.

It wasn’t all one way traffic though. McCroary put in a very good effort from long range which White saved well.

But in 65 minutes, after a spell of pressure and a series of corners, Paul Murphy got his head to one to pull Petershill level.

Rangers had fallen right out of the game and Petershill clearly believed that they could win the game.

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But in the final stages Rangers did come right back into contention and had a great chance to take all three points; McCroary broke away and put a pass to Prentice but the latter was unable to get full control of the ball and the chance was gone.