Cumbernauld Colts 2

Vale of Leithen 1

By Martin MacDonald

at Broadwood

A THREADBARE Vale of Leithen team succumbed to a late winner as they went down 2-1 away to Cumbernauld Colts.

Manager Chris Anderson and his assistant Ger Rossi were forced to don their boots from the start, with Vale only able to name two substitutes.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Craig Murray fired home.

Marc Berry drew the depleted Vale level when he fired home from the penalty spot shortly before half time.

The Colts were able to look to their bench in a bid to reassert their dominance in the match, with the 49th-minute introduction of Craig Henderson proving decisive.

Henderson pounced in the 89th minute to deprive Vale of what would have been a creditable point under testing circumstances.

The result sees Vale leapfrogged by Edinburgh University and University of Stirling, although Chris Anderson’s side still retain games in hand over their rivals.

The Innerleithen side were set to face Gretna at Raydale last night (Tuesday), but they have the chance to exact revenge on Cumbernauld when the return fixture is played on Saturday.

Vale of Leithen: R Gilpin, Jack Smith, K Boyes, C McBride, J Blaikie, G Rossi, S Stewart, M Berry, C Anderson (M Underhill 76), B Rixon, L Ireland