Peebles Rovers 1

Leith Athletic 2

Neil Hobson at Whitestone Park

PEEBLES Rovers did battle with league leaders, Leith Athletic, in front of a bumper Whitestone crowd last Saturday.

But most supporters went home disappointed as the Rovers lost 2-1 despite a spirited first-half performance.

The game started brightly, with both teams racing out the traps, hungry for victory. It was thrilling end-to-end stuff at times and it still remains a surprise that the first half ended with only one goal each.

Peebles played well and punched well above their weight against a side that’s only lost three games all season.

The Rovers even had a penalty shout in the 10th minute after Dale Richardson was pulled down on the edge of the box. However, referee Daniel Graves shook his head and instead awarded a free kick that Jason Darling smashed into the palms of the Leith ‘keeper.

But, it was soon to be the boys in red that took the lead after 16 minutes and it came through Jim Young who headed the ball in after a perfectly delivered Danny McAleavy corner.

Such a goal must have left Peebles boss, John O’Hara, rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of getting a win against the high flying team. But, to their credit, Leith merely gritted their teeth and refused to fold under the pressure.

Their persistence was rewarded, with a little help from Peebles. Keeper Darren Walker made a daring slide to clear the ball which flew to just outside the box. Leith gobbled it up and some calamitous defensive organisation from Peebles allowed John Ferguson to grab the equaliser with a composed finish.

It seemed fate decided to pile some more misery on to the Rovers after losing Danny McAleavy to injury after a heavy Leith challenge which forced the defender to hobble off early. Lee Zavaroni was his replacement, but it was clear to see that the Rovers missed McAleavy’s crossing and tackling abilities as the game went on.

Danny Rennie looked solid in midfield, making good forward runs and passes, Stephen Anderson was a threat in the wide areas and it looked as though the Rovers might just be able to get a result. It all depended on what happened in the next 45.

Disappointingly, the second half was a far cry from the first for Peebles but not for Leith.

There was little to discuss, and it became more of a battle compared to the free flowing action of the first 45 minutes, almost like two broken down cars running on petrol fumes alone. Neither goalkeeper was called upon often, nor did it look like there was going to be a definite winner. Unexpectedly, it was maverick goalkeeper Darren Walker who provided the most exciting moment of the second half; in the 62nd minute, he blasted a jaw dropping effort from his own area that looked like catching his opposite number off guard, but was eventually tipped over the bar.

It looked as if the second half had 1-1 written all over it, which is definitely a compliment to a Peebles side which certainly wasn’t lacking in spirit and character when the league leaders came knocking. But the final 20 minutes transformed into a spell where Leith seemed to enjoy more of the ball. They took their chances and their winner came from Ferguson, grabbing his second of the match after stabbing it in low past Walker.

John O’Hara said: “To be honest, to beat a side like Leith would have required us to be on top of our game… I still felt we could have played a lot better however.”

Peebles now look ahead to their league clash with Duns tomorrow at Whitestone Park. Kick-off is 2.30 pm