Bathgate Thistle find key to un-Lochee

Nov 17 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

BATHGATE THISTLE boss Graham Love admits he was relieved to leave Thomson Park with three points following a dramatic fightback.

The Creamery Park outfit battled from a goal down to snatch the win.

And after an early Scottish Cup exit and the recent defeat to Linlithgow Rose, Love was pleased to be back among the points.

He said: “It was a feeling of relief more than anything else.

“We’ve had a few results going against us at the moment and it was good to go there and get the win.”

Bathgate went to Thomson Park as solid favourites to beat the division’s strugglers who have only managed one win in seven league matches.

But it was Lochee who took the lead when a wayward Marc O’Leary strike hit a teammate and flew into the top corner.

Thistle created a number of chances in the remaining part of the first half but couldn’t find the net.

And despite dominating the second 45 minutes, it wasn’t until after the hour mark that they grabbed an equaliser.

Chris Jeffery was brought down inside the box after some neat dribbling.

Lee Johnstone fired home from the spot to set up a thrilling finale.

Bathgate pressed for the winner, pushing defenders forward as they smelt blood.

Full-back Chris Wilson was deployed in the left wing to good effect.

And it was the makeshift winger who grabbed the winner to hand Thistle an important win.

The result keeps Lochee bottom and propels Bathgate to within four points of leaders Hawthorn.

Bathgate Thistle are holding a fund raising sportsman's dinner on Sunday afternoon 27th November in the British Legion Club.

The main speaker is one-time England footballer Duncan MacKenzie who is travelling up from Liverpool for the event.

Contact Carr MacDonald on 01506 635719 or Ian Strathearn on 01506 636219 for more information.