St Patrick's FPs 4-2 Lesmahagow
Tommy Graham
Zander Diamond hailed Saints’ never say die attitude, as they scored twice in injury time to defeat title rivals Lesmahagow.
Saints left it late to get a deserved victory at OLSP on Saturday, leapfrogging their opponents into second place in the league table.
And former Aberdeen defender Diamond felt the result was one his side deserved.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get the win. The game should have been out of sight by half time but if you don’t take your chances, it gives the opposition a chance to sucker punch you and that’s what Lesmahagow did.
“But credit to our boys again for their sheer determination and never say die attitude to keep going to the end and get the three points.”
The St Patrick’s management team decided to freshen things up and made five changes to the starting line up from their previous match, and in the first-half the decision was certainly justified as Saints pushed Gow back in their own defensive area as they attacked at will.
Saints were particularly dangerous down their right side with Molloy causing the Gow defence major problems with his direct running and sublime footwork and he was ably assisted by Parfitt who was pushing forward at every opportunity.
The home side had chances in the first 20 minutes with Kevin McElroy, Luke Gray and Ciaran McElroy all missing when it looked easier to score.
And, predictably just as Saints looked almost certain to go ahead, they found themselves behind.
Gow won a corner in the 23rd minute and a deep cross was bulleted home by Smith to give his side the lead against the run of play.
A minute later, directly from the kick off, Saints managed to miss not one but two gilt edged chances.
The impressive McColl, galloped down the left and cut back a perfect pass to Luke Gray who missed his kick - but the ball ran on to Molloy who fired over with the goal at his mercy.
In the 33rd minute Saints passed up an even better chance, this time from the penalty spot.
Luke Gray’s header was blocked on the goal line by a hand and, after a short delay, Kevin McElroy stepped up and placed his penalty to the keeper’s right but it was saved easily.
To their credit the Saints didn’t let their heads go down and within four minutes they had equalised.
Another great run and cross from McColl resulted in Gow keeper Wharton touching the ball onto his back post and then ricochet off Gow defender Nicol and into the net.
The second half got underway with Saints still in the driving seat and, within ten minutes, they had taken the lead.
Liam Cavan came off the bench and scored with his first touch after fine play on the left wing between Rowan and McColl ending with a pinpoint cross to the front post which was slammed home by Cavan.
As the game entered the last half hour, the large home support were desperate for a third goal and some breathing space.
Gow, however, had been a danger all afternoon from numerous long throws into the Saints box at every opportunity, but Saints’ defenders and keeper Gallacher had looked quite comfortable with them until the 65th minute when their tactic paid off when the unfortunate Parfitt skewed his header beyond Gallacher to make it 2-2.
This seemed to spook Saints and for a ten minute spell they were hanging on as Gow went in search of an unlikely winner. They had a lot of possession but rarely tested Gallacher.
With the clock ticking down Saints were being driven forward by skipper Rowan and it was the midfielder who released Lobban, but he was brought down just as he looked to get away from his marker.
The game was in the 92nd minute when Rowan took the resulting free kick and to the delight of the Saints fans he curled a beautiful cross to Parfitt who netted from eight yards with a fantastic diving header.
Saints were still not finished and two minutes later, after some great possession football, Eamon McElroy received the ball 15 yards out and he was coolness personified as he curled a shot high into the top right corner.
Not for the first time this season, St Pat’s have gone right to the final whistle.
