Spartans 2

Vale of Leithen 2

VALE came within five minutes of making it three wins on the bounce at Ainslie Park on Saturday.

Following victories over Preston Athletic and Cumbernauld Colts, Chris Anderson's team travelled to the capital full of confidence.

Spartans took a deserved lead through Ross Allum on 20 minutes as he fired a powerful low drive into the corner from the edge of the area.

But Vale fought back well with Alasdair Smith and Robbie Manson showing up well in midfield.

They pulled level just after the half hour with a sublime volley from teenager Tommy Patterson.

Spartans still looked dangerous but Andy McQueen wasn't overly stretched approaching half time with a couple of comfortable saves.

The Innerleithen team went in front on 55 minutes with Jason Stevens firing an inch perfect freekick beyond the wall and the fingertips of Grant Macdonald.

The in-form striker's fifth goal in three games stunned the large Ainslie Park crowd.

Spartans thought they had levelled on the hour but Allum was ruled offside as he hit the net from close range.

Steven Lynch and Craig McBride patrolled the area well and it looked as though Vale were going to hold on for a famous win.

But substitute Jonny Grotlin had other ideas.

With almost his first touch after coming off the bench on 85 minutes the youngster squeezed the ball in at the back post following good build up play.

Vale of Leithen: Andy McQueen, Jonny Scott-Mercer, Liam McIntosh (Daniel O'Donnell 89), Steven Lynch, Craig McBride, Robbie Manson, Sean Stewart, Alasdair Smith, Jason Stevens, Keith Mcleod (Ainslie Hunter 78) & Thomas Patterson (Ryan Currie 67).