McBookie Super League Premier Division

IRVINE MEADOW 2

SHETTLESTON 1

by Stewart McConnell

A WONDER goal from Ross McKinnon saw Meadow see off stuffy Shettleston to rack up a second straight league win on Monday night.

It was a workmanlike performance from Ross Wilson's revamped side, who still look very much like a work in progress.

They could have been two or three up inside the opening 20 minutes but failed to take their chances, ensuring it was a tight contest.

Medda came close in three minutes when an eight-yard effort from Stuart Hannah was well saved by visiting goalie Gary Whyte.

However they broke the deadlock with a well-worked move three minutes later when Ben Black slipped a fine through ball to Aaron Connolly who shot home from six yards for his second goal in two games.

The hosts had a good chance to increase their lead in 18 minutes when McKinnon sent an effort wide from 25 yards and two minutes later Connolly shot over the top from outside the box.

Danny McKay shot across the face of goal from just inside the box in 22 minutes with Meadow in total control.

Shettleston had their first opening a minute late when Lee Martin shot over the bar from 22 yards. Then Michael McDowall shot inches over the bar from 25 yards two minutes later.

Meadow had another chance in 28 minutes when a cross-cum shot from 20 yards by Ben Black was deflected wide by a defender.

Kyle Robertson sent a shot from 22 yards well over the top for the visitors in 40 minutes.

Robert McIntosh set up Robertson three minutes after the break but he hit the side netting from eight yards.

Robertson set up Craig Johnston in 53 minutes but goalie Craig Gordon made a point-blank save.

Shettleston levelled in 57 minutes when Robertson took advantage of indecision in the home defence to slot the ball home from six yards.

The visitors had another chance in 62 minutes when a 22-yard shot saved by Gary Whyte. Then a minute later a Stuart Hannah header from a Ben Black free-kick was saved

by the visiting goalie.

The hosts were denied a penalty claim in 66 minutes when Black was tripped inside the box by Jack Crumlish.

Medda blasted into the lead a minute later when McKinnon made a great run before unleashing a 35-yard drive into the bottom corner of the net.

Meadow had a lucky escape in 76 minutes when Johnston picked up a return pass but shot just wide from six yards with the goalie to beat.

Home striker Danny McKay saw his effort from 10 yards blocked by a defender in 84 minutes.

A rocket from 25 yards by McKinnon a minute later was saved by the goalie.

Connolly shot wide from 20 yards a minute into stoppage time as Meadow held on to win.

IRVINE MEADOW: Gordon; McKeown, McKinnon, Begley, Carson, Hannah, Carnwath, McKay, Conway, Black. Subs: McLennan, McCrae.