Headache For 19s

[ian1964 10,415]

KAL NAISMITH'S last-minute penalty miss let Hibs replace Rangers at the head of the Clydesdale Bank under-19 league after their 3-2 win at Murray Park.

 

The Edinburgh outfit had stormed into a three-goal lead early in the second half of their table-topping clash today.

 

Kal NaismithAlthough the Light Blues mounted a comeback in the closing stages, they couldn't quite draw level with their nine-man opponents.

 

Snatching a share of the spoils would have kept Billy Kirkwood's youngsters a point ahead of their closest challengers.

 

But Naismith's failure to convert from 12 yards means the visitors are the team now setting the pace with just five games remaining.

 

Gers find themselves two points behind Hibs with the finishing line coming into sight but it could have been very different.

 

There was little to choose between the sides in a tame first half hour at Auchenhowie but when the game came to life, it gathered pace quickly.

 

Within 60 seconds of David Wotherspoon putting the away side ahead from close range, Oliver Russell had added a second after a neat one-two.

 

Rangers tried to claw their way back into contention after the interval and started brightly but soon found themselves even further adrift when the Hibees claimed a third.

 

Wotherspoon was the scorer again, forcing the ball past Arturs Vaiculis when he got on the end of Patrick Deane's cross.

 

Kirkwood's kids finally mustered a response and quick feet by Naismith in the box won them a penalty which he took responsibility for and dutifully converted.

 

Billy KirkwoodArchie Campbell then threw the hosts a lifeline when he met Gregg Wylde's low, whipped cross to make it 3-2 with 17 minutes remaining.

 

Gers' hopes of levelling increased when Hibs were reduced to 10 men in the aftermath of Campbell's strike.

 

Scott Smith - booked for bringing down Naismith in the area just moments earlier - found himself cautioned once more for dissent as the pressure mounted.

 

Ex-Murray Park starlet Ally Park joined him for an early bath in the dying seconds when he handled a goalbound shot on the line after a frantic scramble in front of the posts.

 

But with Naismith given another opportunity to strike from 12 yards, he couldn't take it and fired his kick over the bar to hand Hibs victory.

 

It was a sore moment for the promising striker, who had done so much to get his team back into the running.

 

Now Naismith and his colleagues have to pick themselves up for their next league outing, an Old Firm derby with Celtic.

 

Although the kick-off date and times are yet to be confirmed, the game is expected to take place next Saturday.