MUCH has been made of the form of Spartans highly rated striker Aaron Murrell, but his side’s Lowland League challenge was almost undone by Ainslie Park’s former favourite son.

Keith McLeod scored 286 goals for Spartans in 13 trophy-laden seasons, but his first half strike looked like it would give his new club Vale of Leithen a superb result.

That was until three goals in the last ten minutes – including a classy strike by Murrell – ensured Spartans ran out deserved winners.

Home manager Dougie Samuel said the 37-year-old is still a legend at Spartans. And McLeod could yet earn hero status at Victoria Park if he can guide Vale to safety this season.

It was Murrell – who is reported to be gathering interest from SPL clubs – who forced the first save of the game when Vale keeper Andy McQueen held his decent header from Michael Herd’s free kick.

But Vale found the net on the break midway through the half as Bradley Rixon’s cross was volleyed in by McLeod for his third goal in as many games.

The strike spurred Spartans into action but Vale’s thin blue line held firm until half time, with David McLeod in particular making a series of vital clearances.

However, Vale suffered a blow just before the break when Jason Stevens, who had been among the visitors’ best players alongside the always busy Ryan Sclater, was forced off with concussion after a clash of heads with Spartans skipper Ally Mackinnon.

Leithen could have gone 2-0 up after the break only for Sclater to fire wide after good work by substitute Alan Flanagan and left back Ross Brady.

As the half wore on, Spartans cranked up the pressure, bringing on an extra striker as their title hopes hung in the balance.

Steven Lynch had to clear the ball off his own line after McQueen had fumbled a cross from Jamie Dishington.

And after a succession of corners, Spartans finally levelled through Dishington’s low shot.

Vale lost Sclater to a leg injury, but they almost went ahead again when his replacement Kris Mitchell headed Keith McLeod’s fine cross onto the bar.

Instead, Spartans powered home with three goals in the closing stages. Mackinnon headed in Greenhill’s cross before Murrell bamboozled Vale’s tiring defence for the third, his 18th goal in just 12 games.

And substitute Keith Murray added a fourth with a deft lob in the third minute of injury time.

Vale boss Mickey Lawson said: “They are a good side and had a lot of the ball but I didn’t think they created loads of chances.

“We hit the bar at 1-1 which could have changed the result. We never deserved to lose 4-1.”

Vale of Leithen: A. McQueen, B. Rixon, R. Brady (S. Elliot 83), S. Lynch, J. Elliot, D. McLeod, J. Stevens (A. Flanagan 45), L. McIntosh, R. Sclater (K. Mitchell 73), K. McLeod, A. Hunter.