Macnamara wonder goal ensures share of the spoils

Edinburgh City defender Ross Macnamara scored with a sensational 25-yard volley six minutes from time to earn his side a 1-1 draw with Capital rivals Tynecastle at Meadowbank Stadium last night.

There seemed little danger when Ian McFarland arrowed a long cross-field pass to Macnamara outside the apex of the penalty box but without hesitation he met the ball perfectly and it rocketed into the top corner of the net to leave Tynecastle goalkeeper John Gilbertson rooted to the spot. "When I saw the ball coming towards me it was just begging to be hit," enthused Macnamara. "I was never in two minds as to what to do because I don't get too many passes as good as that one. I honestly started celebrating as soon as the ball left my foot! Our effort deserved a point."

City started as the more positive side and Ryan Wilson missed a great opportunity, Grant Vanson had a shot held and Robbie Ross had a goal disallowed for an off-the-ball infringement. Tynecastle made the breakthrough against the run of play in stoppage time at the end of the first half as a Wayne McIntosh overhead kick was well parried by Andrew Stobie in the City goal, only for Paul Devlin to stroke home the rebound. After the break Tynecastle had two good chances to increase their lead when a Devlin shot was blocked on the line and then Wayne Sproule had an effort well held by Stobie. However, with just six minutes left came Macnamara's contender for the goal of the season which moved City up to fifth in the Central Taxis Premier Division.

"It was an even game and a draw was a fair result," said City's joint manager, Gary Jardine. "We had lots of effort and hard work but our quality was not great at times with too many passes on a bumpy surface. It's a point gained rather than two points dropped."

Tynecastle manager Murray Balloch said: "I was very disappointed with the way we started. We were below par, never closed people down and scored against the run of play. City's goal was a great strike and it was going to take something like that to beat John Gilbertson."

Edinburgh City: Stobie, Dingwall, Scott, Macnamara, K Ross, McFarland, Howat, Vanson, R Ross, Black, Wilson. Subs: Stenhouse, Gair, Donaldson, Harrison, Mackintosh.

Tynecastle: Gilbertson, Young, O'Hara, Thom, Williams, Mearns, Sproule, Elliot, Devlin, McIntosh, McCormack. Subs: Ferguson, Law, Bingham, McMillen.