Peebles Rovers 2

Easthouses Lilly 1

David Knox

at Whitestone Park

THERE was a sense of justice being done on Saturday as Peebles claimed the points in this forced replay with Easthouses.

Rovers had taken an injury time lead in the original fixture back in November before a mass brawl led to eight red cards being brandished – five for Lilly and three for the home team - and the match being abandoned.

Rather than award the points to Peebles, the SFA ordered a replay.

Peebles manager Allan McDonald told us: “We didn’t want to play this again but at the end of the day we had to, and I’m pleased that we have come out with the points.

“It wasn’t the prettiest of games but we fought well and I think we deserved the win.”

Although there was no repeat of the ugly scenes that tarnished the initial game at Whitestone Park, there was still plenty of controversy during the 90 minutes.

Lilly captain Graeme Young, who was later sent off, appeared to have chopped down Alan McMath inside the area during the opening exchanges.

But the penalty protests were waved away.

Approaching the half hour Young’s late challenge on Grant Wilson in the box was deemed a foul.

And Wilson managed to squeeze the penalty beyond Stevie Hay for the opener.

Both David Lindsay and McMath went close to doubling the advantage as half time approached.

But Easthouses enjoyed their best spell just before the interval as Jonathon Crutcher headed inches wide and Gary Shearer forced a fine save from Bob Hall.

A rash challenge by Young saw Easthouses reduced to 10 men just seven minutes into the second half.

Although Lindsay almost stretched the home team’s lead just a few minutes later with a turn and shot, it was the visitors who started creating the best chances.

And in the 73rd minute the pressure led to a penalty.

Substitute Steve Barrie tucked away the equaliser from the spot.

Peebles regained the lead just four minutes later, and again the goal came from the penalty spot.

Jon Davidson’s burst into the area was halted by a trip from Rory MacIver.

Hay got a hand to Wilson’s penalty but he could only push the ball into his net off the post.

Peebles could have added to their lead in the closing stages but Hay made a terrific save to prevent Cameron Sclater’s header reaching the net, and in the final minute Wilson’s lob from distance beat the keeper but rolled just wide.

Peebles Rovers. B Hall, J Dodds (R Forrest 87), L Zavaroni, G Lamb, B Gettle, J Davidson, C Sclater, D Lindsay, G Wilson, A McMath & R Sterricks (R Lamb 46).