Wishaw Juniors claim last gasp win over Newmains United

Aug 15 2012 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

Wishaw 3 Newmains United 2

WISHAW came back from two goals down to claim a dramatic injury-time win in Monday nights League Cup Sectional Two derby clash at Beltane Park.

John Cuddihy slammed home a penalty-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time to seal the win.

Earlier Des Bradshaw had scored two quickfire goals to give United a shock lead but John McStay netted right on half-time to halve the deficit.

Nicky Moores 77th-minute header restored parity at 2-2 before Cuddihys injury-time spot-kick.

Newmains felt they should have had a penalty in each half but the referee waved away claims on both occasions.

The result was harsh on Newmains, who were well organised and kept Wishaws potent attacking trio of Moore, McStay and new signing Paul Woodlock at bay for long spells.

Wishaw had most of the possession and squandered a number of chances but the visitors had opportunities to put the game beyond doubt when they were 2-1 up in the second half.

The hosts could have taken the lead in the opening minute when McStay saw his effort cleared off the line.

Three minutes later, Bradshaw latched on to Liam Morrisseys cross to give Newmains the lead.

Danny Gallacher saved from McStay at the other end on nine minutes, with Woodlock firing the rebound over.

Wishaws defence were all at sea for the first goal and again they failed to deal with a ball played into the area after 12 minutes.

Paul Sloans long throw-in fell to Bradshaw at the back post and he clinically dispatched the ball to double his sides lead.

New Wishaw signing Chris Faulds turn and shot was wide of target in the 15th minute as the striker took advantage of Gallachers error before the home sides defence was cut open again, Morrissey firing wide from the angle.

Faulds failed to catch Woodlocks cross cleanly after 40 minutes but John McKeowns side did pull one back two minutes into first-half stoppage time.

Woodlock played a delightful ball into McStay, who finished cooly past Gallacher.

United striker Bradshaw had to go off injured late in the first half and his predatory instincts were missed after the interval.

Substitute Mark Burrell, a goalkeeper trying his luck outfield this season, missed a couple of great chances to make it 3-1, first with a front-post header which was saved by Wishaw keeper Ross Harkness and then when one on one with the keeper.

At the other end, Faulds and Nicky Moore had chances before the latter headed an equaliser powerfully past Gallacher with 13 minutes remaining.

Wishaw looked the more likely to find a winner and when Robert Boyle was fouled inside the box up stepped Cuddihy to claim all three points deep into stoppage time.

Burrell missed a header straight afterwards at the other end and with that Newmains chances of salvaging a point were gone.

Wishaw can still qualify from the section but will need to beat Forth convincingly tonight (Wednesday).

Last Wednesday they claimed a superb 3-1 victory over Carluke thanks to John McStays brace and a Nicky Moore goal, this despite having a man sent off in either half (David Hamilton and Mark Campbell).

They were brought back down to earth on Saturday however when Super Premier Shotts thrashed them 5-0 at Hannah Park, making them favourites to top the group.

Newmains United lost 2-0 to Shotts last Wednesday. They host Carluke in their final group match tonight.