McLeod brace sees Spartans extend their lead at the top

SPARTANS extended their lead at the top of the Central Taxis Premier Division to eight points although they had to work very hard on a difficult surface to record a narrow 2-1 win against third-placed Tynecastle.

This was Tynecastle's first home game since mid-October. The playing surface was heavy and uneven and this, ultimately, did not suit the home side's style of play with passes going astray and their ball control was very inconsistent.

Spartans adapted to the conditions better and their tactics of getting the ball beyond the Tynecastle rearguard worked for them with two goals on the break.

Spartans had a full complement of players and reintroduced captain Stewart Fowlie while Tynecastle had former Tranent Juniors midfield player Dougie Blackley on the bench.

In the 14th minute, a long punt from Spartans goalkeeper Chris Flockhart was headed on by Keith McLeod to Gavin Malin whose 16-yard shot was well saved low down by John Gilbertson.

In a tense encounter, Gilbertson was booked for remarks made to the referee then Gary Cherrie fired a 25-yard volley high over the crossbar. McLeod took off on a run from the halfway line before he brought out another good save from Gilbertson.

Mark Cherrie appealed for a penalty when he was brought down by Daniel O'Donnell but the referee played on and McLeod against tested Gilbertson with a shot at the near post.

Tynecastle went close to snatching an interval lead when a Paul Devlin shot on the turn from 12 yards was headed off the goal-line by Ross Archibald.

Spartans opened the scoring five minutes into the second half when Dean Hoskins advanced down the right and picked out McLeod. He had time to turn and float over a cross which Robbie Manson headed in from close range.

Kevin Sivewright was then cautioned for a foul on the impressive Wayne Sproul before Devlin cut inside and released a powerful 14 yard shot which Flockhart did well to stop.

On the hour mark, Spartans notched their second goal when a pass from Archibald was picked up by McLeod who strode forward, rounded Gilbertson and placed the ball into the unguarded net.

At the other end, Sproul tested Flockhart then fired a shot high over.

With two minutes remaining, Spartans substitute Omar Kader hit the post after a cutback from Archibald before, deep into stoppage time, a Ross Alexander free kick was headed back into the danger area by Gareth Thom and former Dundee player Eddie Mearns had time to pick his spot and hit the ball powerfully into the net from ten yards.

Although Tynecastle still have two games in hand over Spartans, they now trail them by 16 points and look to be out of the title race. This leaves Lothian Thistle and Whitehill Welfare as the only two sides who have a realistic chance of catching the current champions.

McLeod said: "I thought it was an entertaining game on what was not a good surface. It was a pretty even first half and in the second I thought that we performed really well.

"We needed a goal and when I crossed for Robbie to head home that really settled us down all over the park. We started playing better after that and then I rounded their goalkeeper and only just managed to get the ball over the line because Brian (Foster] got a touch to it.

"It may not have been pretty but it was a good three points."

Gilbertson said: "Spartans showed that they can grind out results in a battle which they won. We had some good opportunities and their goalkeeper had a couple of great saves. If we had taken one of these chances then it could have been a different result."

Murray Balloch, Tynecastle's manager, said: "While we try to play football, the Spartans goalkeeper chose route one. That's what he was looking for every time he got the ball.

"Our players were gutted and maybe one or two of them had off days. Quite simply, we did not turn up and our decision-making was all wrong.

"Spartans looked quicker and sharper, created more chances and our goalkeeper was the busier of the two. If nothing else, this result has brought us back down to earth. It showed us how far we have come but also how far we still have to go. We are still learning."

Tynecastle: Gilbertson, Aird (Alexander, 67), M Cherrie, Sives, Foster (Blackley, 72), G Cherrie, Mearns, McKenzie (Dunn, 67), Devlin, Sproul, Thom. Subs: McCormack, McMillen.

Spartans: Flockhart, O'Donnell, Fowlie, Gerrard, Sivewright, Archibald, King, Manson, Malin (Henretty, 69), McLeod (Vinelli, 90), Hoskins (Kader, 75). Subs: McAuley, Smith.

Referee: George MacDonald.