Edinburgh City boss hails team after they defeat leaders Cove Rangers

Edinburgh City boss James McDonaugh hailed his side’s “best defensive performance of the season” after a 2-1 victory over top-of-the-table Cove Rangers.

A first-half double from defender Liam Henderson at Ainslie Park was enough to cut Paul Hartley’s side’s advantage to two points.

Former Hibs midfielder Martin Scott netted for the SPFL Ladbrokes League Two newcomers.

McDonaugh had demanded a response following last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Queen’s Park at Hampden and his squad duly delivered.

It also went some way to atoning for the 5-0 defeat dished out by Cove on the opening day of the season in August.

“Cove played really well and had a lot of the ball but we’ve defended brilliantly and our goalkeeper has made a couple of fantastic saves” McDonaugh explained afterwards. “It’s our best defensive performance of the season, even though we didn’t keep a clean sheet. We didn’t create a lot of chances but Liam Henderson’s two headers are exceptional and that’s proved the difference between the teams.

“The players came in for a bit of criticism last week but they’ve responded brilliantly.

“It’s a big result. There’s nothing won or lost, it’s just three points. It would be nice to be top but there is a long way to go. A lot of the teams in the league are getting better.”

Henderson’s well-placed headers from captain Craig Thomson’s deliveries had the Citizens in control by the half-hour mark before a neat turn and finish by Scott gave Cove something to work with. Scott Ross’ header then looked to have drawn the visitors level until the intervention of goalkeeper Aidan McAdams who somehow managed to turn the defender’s effort onto the crossbar.

Jamie Masson flashed the ball across the City six-yard box after the break before 20-year-old McAdams denied Scott with another acrobatic stop.

“I’m happy to contribute to the win but it was a real team effort,” McAdams said. “To a man everyone was excellent and there was a real desire there. The dressing room is really happy so that always bodes well going forward.”

Edinburgh City: McAdams, Thomson, Balatoni, Laird, Brown, B Henderson (Court 62), Handling, Crane, Shepherd (Smith 84), L Henderson, Harris (Stewart 71). Subs: Beveridge, Sinclair, Wilson, Kane.

Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Scully, Ross, Strachan, Yule, Megginson, Scott, Masson, Redford (Robertson 84), Aird, Fyvie. Subs: Redman, Brown, McCafferty.

Referee: Grant Irvine.

Attendance: 439.