Renfrew 2 Cumbernauld 3: United storm back from two down to win

Murray Loudon scored twice for Cumbernauld in their dramatic win at Renfrew

The artificial surface at New Western Park meant this was one of the few games to beat the weather.

And it was the visitors who reaped the benefit as they moved to within four points of the top of the table ahead of Saturday’s derby showdown with leaders Kilsyth Rangers.

Play was end to end in the initial stages of the contest with little of consequence occurring until the 20th minute when a superb Tony Stevenson pass found Paddy McCabe on the left wing.

After cutting in towards goal the United man was upended in the box, but no spot kick was given by the referee who instead indicated a corner kick.

When the ball was crossed a Ryan Tiffany effort from close in struck the bar and rebounded to safety.

Renfrew took the lead 10 minutes later when a long clearance upfield broke to Marc McDaid who sent a left foot screamer past a helpless Conor O’Boyle in the Cumbernauld goal.

Renfrew survived another penalty appeal, again involving McCabe, before the interval but there was little to excite the good crowd in what had been a dull opening half.

In the first minute after the break the home team added to their lead.

After a surge up the left wing former United striker Chris Zok, on the byeline, managed to get the ball back to Scott Morton who scored from close in.

Things looked ominous for Cumbernauld when they lost Joe Bunch to injury. The central defender was replaced by Billy Robb.

But in the 65th minute United, who had begun playing better football since losing the second goal, reduced the leeway when Stevenson won the ball in midfield and moved it on to on-loan young Airdrie striker Murray Loudon who cut in to finish in style.

A minute later the outstanding Stevenson tried his luck with a magnificent shot which was equally magnificently saved by Dale Burgess in the Renfrew goal.

It was all United now and yet another Stevenson pass found Simon Eeles whose low ball across the box eluded Burgess and was fired home by Loudon for his second goal of the game.

After Eeles had been red carded following a second yellow United goalkeeper O’Boyle had to make a terrific save from a Jamie Benton header to keep the scores level.

However five minutes from time United got the winning goal they so richly deserved.

A Stevenson long ball found Tiffany on the left wing and the front man’s excellent cross was met by the head of Davie Dickson who converted expertly to give the visitors a tremendous victory.