Vale of Leithen 2

Edinburgh University 0

VALE of Leithen trialist Keith McLeod has admitted he was considering retiring from football – until persistent manager Mickey Lawson changed his mind.

The 37-year-old - who scored almost 300 goals for Spartans - is likely to sign for the Victoria Park side this week, after scoring in a battling win over a much improved Edinburgh University.

McLeod said: “I was bit confused about what I was going to do – I wasn’t sure if I would come back to play or not.

“I worked with Mickey for 11 years at Spartans and he has been pestering me to come along to Vale so I agreed. I am currently not with a club but I think I will be signing.

“There is a good group of players here who just need a bit of experience to help them and I am sure the club will start climbing the table.

“It was great to score, as I haven’t found the net for a while so I am delighted.”

McLeod was beside ex-Arbroath frontman Robbie Ross – who is on loan from Spartans – and while the pair left the majority of the running to their younger team-mates, they provided a goal threat which the Students lacked.

The University played some great football and dominated possession, but could not find the net, even when gifted a penalty after just six minutes.

Steven Lynch stuck out a leg in a crowded penalty area which Edinburgh’s Joe Aitken gratefully tripped over, but the visitors’ captain Jan Maelger produced a woeful spot kick which Vale stopper Andrew McQueen saved with ease.

From almost being the villain, Lynch was the hero on 14 minutes as he rose to head in Ryan Sclater’s corner.

The Students were in control of the rest of the half, but some vital clearances and penalty box blocks by James Elliot ensured Vale were ahead at half time.

University striker Aitken bagged both goals in an impressive win against Gretna the previous week, but he was denied when clean through just after the break thanks to McQueen’s brave save.

McLeod was quiet but almost scored a sensational first goal for Vale with a thumping 20 yard volley which smashed off the crossbar.

But a minute later he did find the net, chipping the ball over Edinburgh goalkeeper Asher Tufail before calming volleying in from eight yards to give Lawson his fourth win in seven games since taking over as Vale boss.

Vale of Leithen: A. McQueen, R Sclater, S. Elliot, S. Lynch, J. Elliot, D. McLeod, A. Hunter, B. Rixon, R. Ross (J. Guy 85), K. McLeod, S. Stevens (D. Gallacher 58).