Lothian Thistle 3

Peebles Rovers 1

ROVERS manager John O'Hara clapped his players off the Saughton Enclosure pitch on Saturday despite them conceding third place in the East of Scotland League to their hosts.

The Peebles gaffer had watched his players match the Scottish Cup giant-killers for most of the match, despite having two players sent off.

Captain Jim Young was given his marching orders after half an hour for a handball incident inside the penalty area.

And he was followed up the tunnel midway through the second half by Brendan Edwards, who had picked up his second yellow card.

O'Hara told us: "I thought we were terrific, especially in the second half, and we created just as many, probably more, chances than they did with 11 men.

"I told the players at the end, that if we continue to play like that we are a team that isn't far away from being up there with the best in this league.

"We will need to keep all our players on the park, though.

"I have no complaints about the cards. Jim's was unfortunate as the ball cannoned off his arm but it did deny a probable goal and the rules say it's a red card."

Having reached the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, Lothian are riding high on confidence.

But it was the visitors who did most of the early pressing with Paul Murray and Scott Sutherland going close.

Thistle, though, did take the lead with a pacey counter attack which was expertly finished by former Vale of Leithen striker Scott Gormley.

Young's sending off followed nine minutes later as a powerful shot smacked his arm just six yards from goal.

Darren Smith sent Darren Walker the wrong way to double Lothian's advantage.

Most teams would have crumbled, but Peebles rolled up their sleeves and continued to search for a way back into the game.

Ten-man Rovers still looked the more likely after the interval with Jason darling and Edwards both causing problems in the Thistle defence.

But they were hit with another sucker punch approaching the hour - and it was another former Vale favourite who scored.

John Ross Kerr managed to squeeze the ball beyond Walker to make it 3-0.

With Edwards collecting his second yellow card a short time later, Peebles were reduced to nine men.

But they continued to push for a goal and they were rewarded with a Scott Sutherland strike inside the last 10 minutes.

O'Hara added: "If we had taken one of the earlier chances it would have been a different game.

"You have to remember that we are without four or five players and once we have everyone fit again we'll be even better."

The defeat demotes Peebles to fourth in the table.