Armadale Thistle sealed promotion to the East of Scotland Second Division thanks to a 3-1 victory over Harthill Royal.
The Dale have been sitting comfortably in second place for most of the season and finally got the party started following their win at Gibbshill Park last night.
A scrappy first-half saw few chances by the visitors controlled much of the play. Jayden Fairley fired wide early on while Sammy Watson headed wide just before the interval.
The pressure on the Royal goal continued in the early stages of the second-half and there was always a sense that the opening goal was coming.
Stuart MacLeod saw his chipped effort saved before Watson nodded over from close range.
The goal finally arrived on 56 minutes as Robbie Feeney showed his typical striker’s instinct to slam home before Watson finally got on the scoresheet as he bundled the ball over from close range.
Royal dragged themselves back into the contest thanks to a smart Mark Smith finish on 73 minutes but that did little to stop Thistle’s control of the contest,
The visitors clattered the bar twice in the closing stages before Colin Strickland ensured his old man Derek will call time on his managerial career with a promotion party as the veteran striker produced a stunning finish four minutes from time to send the Dale up.
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