Bo'ness face title crunch after drawing a blank

TITLE-CHASING Bo'ness failed for the third week in a row to take all three points and now face Junior Cup winners Linlithgow Rose in their final game next Saturday needing a point to clinch the Super League crown.

The first half saw few chances in a crucial game for both sides. But whatever Bo'ness manager Alan McGonigal said to his players at half-time worked very well.

In the 53rd minute, they had their best chance. Darren Gribben was clean through but smashed his effort high and wide with only the keeper to beat.

Camelon were still dangerous and Bryan Bell, playing at full back, forced his way through a ruck of players before firing straight at the keeper.

Bo'ness responded and pounded the Camelon defence, forcing five corners with no reward. The visitors kept the pressure on with both Gribben and Chris McFadyen missing chances. Will Snowdon fired a super drive from 25 yards but keeper John Hutchison tipped the ball over the bar – even though he was wrong footed – for a tremendous save.

It was all Bo'ness but still they couldn't make the breakthrough. Then, as so often happens, Camelon broke up the park and almost grabbed a winner.

Jordyn Sheerin's net-bound shot was blocked on the line by Snowdon with the keeper beaten all hands up.

Camelon then came even closer. Mark Gillespie tried his luck from 30 yards but the ball smashed back off the crossbar and was cleared. Bo'ness tried even harder to score that vital goal but a resolute Camelon defence held firm.

So it all goes down to next Saturday's game at home to Linlithgow in a huge local derby. Defeat for Bo'ness would mean Linlithgow could still pinch the title should they win all their remaining games.

Bo'ness boss McGonigal admitted: "It's not the way I wanted things to turn out but at least we are at home in front of our own supporters."

Camelon: Hutchison, Bell, Fullarton, Graham, Cringean, Mitchell, Batchelor, Dick, Sheerin, Allison, Desmond. Subs: Kilgannon, Shirra, Lynn, Mitchell.

Bo'ness: Longmuir, Snowdon, Fleming, Forrest, Duffin, Morrison, Donnelly, Hay, McFadyen, Gribben, Ballantine. Subs: Brown, Churchill, Kyczinski, Main, Nixon, McGurk.