Irvine Vics went from ecstasy to agony as Vale of Clyde snatched a dramatic draw with virtually the last kick of the game.
The Westenders were on the brink of a hard-fought 2-1 victory in Saturday’s WoSFL Third Division clash after Kevin Adam tucked away an 87th minute penalty.
But Thomas Sinclair’s brilliant stoppage-time free kick sealed a point for the Tin Pail who had midfielder Jordan Duncan sent off amid jubilant celebrations.
A share of the spoils was probably a fair outcome for two evenly-matched sides.
Vics edged the first half while the visitors were on top after the break as Sinclair cancelled out a 18th minute own goal then became the late saviour.
That was a view shared by Vics coach Peter Campbell although he admitted the result was still a sore one to take.
He said: “It feels like a defeat just because of how late in the game it was. But they would have probably felt the same if they had lost it at 2-1.
“Listen, the two teams have been on great runs. We’d won eight out of nine league games going into the match and I think they’d won nine out of 11.
“It’s maybe not a great point for us but it’s good to stop them getting three. We’ve still got a game in hand over them as well.
“Two each is probably fair given the way we played in the first half and the second half they put in.”
The Westenders went into the clash knowing victory could lift them from fifth to second in the table, leapfrogging their opponents in the process.
Shane Jackson was initially credited with firing them in front but the wide-man was later honest enough to admit a luckless Vale defender applied the final touch to a cross from the right.
It was the perfect platform for the hosts to build from and while they took control, they were fortunate to get away with two strong penalty shouts. Skipper Fraser MacDuff and midfielder James Maxwell were both hasty in the tackle but referee Liam Gallagher waved play on.
Clear goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium for both sides but as the opening 45 minutes drew to a close, Vics ace Ewan Farrell probably should have done better with a free header from close range.
At the other end, the home side had to survive a goalmouth scramble with goalkeeper Owen McCallum called into action to bat away a fierce drive.
A member of the Vale of Clyde management team was red carded for remarks made to the referee as the teams headed into the pavilion for the half-time break.
But the visitors appeared to take heart from finishing strongly and emerged from the interval in determined mood.
Aside from an early Stephen Gaffney free-kick that was comfortably saved, Vics toiled for efforts on target. Instead they found themselves under the cosh with Vale of Clyde forcing a number of corner kicks and free kicks in dangerous positions.
Vics hardly helped themselves by being careless in possession and after failing to heed the warning signs, they conceded an equaliser in 54 minutes.
Sinclair caught McCallum by surprise with a terrific shot from a tight angle that flew high into the roof of the net.
Not long after, MacDuff made a superb last ditch tackle to deny a clear goal-scoring chance as Vics continued to live dangerously.
The home bench rang the changes and Vics presented more of a threat in the closing stages.
Adam fired inches wide from the edge of the box before Alessandro Savarese squandered a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Whistler Gallagher spotted a handball in the box to present Adam with his late penalty and the striker’s spot kick squirmed past the keeper who left the field injured a few minutes later.
Adam certainly enjoyed his moment but Vale of Clyde recovered from the double blow and, deep into added-on time, Sinclair’s curling free-kick from 25 yards found the bottom corner.
The drama wasn’t quite done yet however as Duncan was shown a straight red card with the match official seemingly taking exception to the manner of his goal celebrations.
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