Controversy as Rose lose third in a row

LEAGUE leaders Linlithgow Rose stumbled to their third successive defeat in a frantic conclusion to this game at Central Park.

Rose had the ball in the net early on, but Tommy Coyne's strike was ruled out by the linesman's raised flag. As Kelty came into the game there was further offside controversy when John Martin sent in a cross that Craig Morrison converted but his celebration was cut short by the linesman.

The offside debates continued when Kelty took the lead just after the hour mark. Sub Tam McGeorge was sent clear when the Rose defence failed to deal with a long ball and he drew the goalkeeper before passing to John Martin who slotted the ball home.

Linlithgow enjoyed a good spell after this and wasted a fine chance when Mark Tyrell crossed to the back post but Gary Livingstone blazed over. A clash between Ian Gallacher and Conrad Courts resulted in the Rose man being carried off and the Kelty man receiving a yellow card. With all three subs already on the field Linlithgow were reduced to ten men. But they kept pressing and got back on level terms thanks to their substitutes. Mark Bradley latched on to a loose pass and crossed for Sean Grady to head home at the back post.

Linlithgow's ten men almost grabbed the lead but Gordon Herd was thwarted by keeper Allan Fleming as he tried to round him. With two minutes remaining Kelty regained the lead amidst further controversy when referee White waved down his linesman's flag and awarded a penalty to Kelty. Linlithgow's John Fraser received a red card on his debut before McGeorge stepped up to score from the spot.

Despite their two-man disadvantage Rose came close to restoring parity when Fleming tipped a Brian Carrigan shot over the bar.

Rose keeper Steven Pinkowski went up for the resulting corner and could only watch in despair as the ball was cleared and Martin ran 50 yards before placing the ball into the unguarded net.

Kelty: Fleming, Ross, Leighton, Droudge, T Courts, Moffat, Rushford (Webster 84), Gr Findlay, Martin, Morrison (McGeorge 58), C Courts (Smart 84). Subs: Dunn, Thomson, Clark.

Linlithgow: Pinkowski, Robertson, McDermott, Gallacher, Donnelly, Fraser, Tyrell, McDowell (Bradley 67), Coyne (Carrigan 65), Herd, Livingstone (Grady 76). Subs: Geddes, Wilson.