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Thistle Rally Keeps Play-off Hopes Alive

Dalkeith Thistle visited local rivals Arniston Rangers still very much in the running for a play-off place in their attempt to reach the McBookie.com Superleague. Arniston were hoping to keep their good league form going in their second game in 48 hours, having lost to Bo'ness in the Fife and Lothians Cup on Monday night.

Arniston showed no signs of tiredness in the early stages, and from an early corner,  Aikman shot just wide. However, they didn't have to wait long to take the lead. In the 13th minute, left back Waters was dispossessed by the busy Kataleza and his pass found Aikman, who shot past Combe.

Dalkeith worked had to get back into the game but it was Arniston who carried more threat. Just after the half hour, a Garden pass found Kataleza but his snap shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Dalkeith should have equalised just before half-time when they were awarded a very soft penalty. McNaughton's through ball found Morris inside the penalty area and referee Paul Hanlon judged that defender Faulds had pushed him over. However, justice was done when Rachowski parried Haynes' spot kick - the striker headed the rebound past the post.

Half time Arniston Rangers 1; Dalkeith Thistle 0

There were no changes at half time and Arniston went straight onto the offensive. After 50 minutes the game looked to be beyond Thistle, when Garden pounced to fire the ball home and double the home team's  advantage.

Ten minutes later the turning point came. Arniston looked certain to score but Combe made a great stop and Liddle blocked Garden's follow up. Almost immediately, Thistle went down the other end and Thomson brought down Morris to concede a second penalty. This time captain Puzledski stepped up and fired the spot kick home and Thistle were back in it.

Dalkeith were going for it now and Morris struck the woodwork. However, the game was stretched and from a free kick 25 yards out, the free kick king Thomson, struck the underside of the bar with a terrific effort.

Rangers were tiring and Dalkeith's pace up front was troubling them. Moffat was proving really dangerous and an equaliser was not far away. It came after 80 minutes. Haynes struck a shot against the upright and from the rebound, Lally squared the match.

There was only one team in it now, and it came as no surprise when Thistle got the winner. After a terrific run by Morris, the ball broke to substitute Flynn, who made no mistake.

It was a terrific comeback by Thistle and a good team performance. Rangers clearly suffered from playing two games in two days and the legs gave out a little in the last 15 minutes.

Dalkeith still have their play off hopes intact and move on to a home game against Pumpherston Juniors on Saturday. Arniston face Superleague giants Bo'ness in the East of a Scotland Cup and it will take a huge effort to lift tired limbs for that encounter.

Arniston Rangers2; Dalkeith Thistle 3

Gordon Baird - Neutral Reporter