Draw means Armadale men must hold breath

May 14 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Draw means Armadale men must hold breath

Broxburn 2 Armadale 2

LEAGUE leaders Armadale missed the chance to sew up the title and with it promotion to the Premier League at the weekend when they were held to a draw at county neighbours Broxburn.

Had the Dale won and Tranent lost to West Calder then the title would have gone to Jim Henderson’s men but neither happened and the race looks like going to the wire.

It was a surprise result for Broxburn who were forced to field a makeshift side due to injuries and unavailable players which included manager Alan Middleton at the heart of the defence.

The hosts took the lead in just seven minutes when John Wilson forced the ball home after good work from Ian Robertson and Craig Chilton.

With so much at stake there was no doubt Armadale would come back strongly and they did when Ewan Donaldson curled home a free-kick.

It looked as if they would complete an excellent comeback when they took the lead 15 minutes from the end when Scott Mauchline fired home from 25 yards.

But deep into stoppage time they were left stunned when Broxburn snatched an equaliser.

Ian Douglas was his side’s hero as he timed his run to perfection and cooly slotted past Woods in the Dale goal.

A bad day got worse for the Armadale players who left the field to the news that title rivals Tranent had beaten West Calder 5–2 which brings them right back into contention for the big prize.

Broxburn: Sheridan, Bishop, Gibson, Middleton, Cunningham, Martin, Cruikshank, Wilson, Chilton, Douglas, Robertson. Subs: Wales, McCann, Ferguson.

Armadale: Woods, Suchinsky, Donaldson, O’Neill, Rodgers, Mauchline, Lynch, McCulloch, Feeney, Johnstone, Bowdiar. Subs: Matonti, Alexander, Brogan, Dice, Purdie.