Win boosts Bellshill bid to avoid drop

Bellshill Athletic effort at goal during the 1-0 home league win over Maybole (Pic by Jim Clare)

From the resultant corner kick the referee awarded Maybole a penalty kick for a Ferguson push on Reilly.

But ‘Hill keeper Peat pulled off an excellent save from Stevenson’s spot kick to keep the scoresheet blank.

Bellshill reacted to the early let off and a Brunton shot went close and a Byrne header from a Nichol cross was saved by Maybole keeper Weir.

Maybole striker Reilly then raced past three ‘Hill defenders and Bellshill keeper Peat was at full stretch to keep out his well struck shot.

Peat then did well to keep out efforts from Cameron and Connor to deny the visitors and Henderson headed Love’s free-kick clear as Maybole drove forward relentlessly.

But Bellshill withstood the pressure and a Nichol shot was saved by Weir and a Byrne header was blocked by Frame as the ‘Hill fought back.

A Lee Nichol shot was saved by Weir before the keeper blocked a Byrne effort with his legs as Bellshill at last threatened the Maybole defence.

A 36th minute McQuade shot was headed clear by Peacock before a McGrath shot went close.

McQuade’s shot three minutes later was headed clear by Frame and a Brunton attempt was saved by Weir before Bellshill went ahead in the 42nd minute with a sensational goal when Brophy fired the ball into the net from 45 yards.

In the last action of the first 45 minutes Peacock headed a Nichol shot behind and from the corner kick Weir pushed a McGrath header over the top.

Bellshill pushed the visitors back as the second half got underway and Nichol and S. Peat went close to increasing their lead.

Maybole’s Frame fired a 60th minute free kick off the bar and Peat saved a Paterson attempt two minutes later as the visitors enjoyed a brief spell on the attack.

A 75 th minute Nichol shot was headed clear by Todd and ‘Hill substitute Dingwall went close as Bellshill pushed forward in search of a second goal.

In the closing minutes Dingwall, Nichol and McQuade all went close and a stoppage time Nichol shot was headed off the goal line by Peacock.

Bellshill added three more valuable points to their total and kept a clean sheet for the third game in a row.

They play Neilston at home in a first round Central League Cup tie tonight (Wednesday).