Coyne substitution pays off for Linlithgow Rose boss

Linlithgow boss David McGlynn was pleased with his team's performance despite them making heavy weather of beating ten-man Broughty Athletic 2-1.

Tommy Coyne

Substitute Tommy Coyne scored the winner with 15 minutes remaining and boss McGlynn said: “I thought we played a whole lot better than against Kilwinning in the cup. We were back to what we do best – playing football. I asked the players to put the cup defeat behind them and concentrate on league business because, although we have a lot of ground to make up, I still feel we can catch the leaders.”

Linlithgow started well and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 21 minutes. A great move – started by goalkeeper Ally Adams – ended with Blair Batchelor playing in Connor Kelly, who raced through and slid the ball past Ian Ross.

Linlithgow, though, didn’t capitalise further on their pressure and gradually the visitors came more into the game. Just a couple of minutes before the break, a mistake in the Linlithgow midfield allowed Brian Duell to push forward and grab the equaliser.

Play became heated in the second half with some hefty challenges being dished out from both sides. Broughty scorer Duell escaped a booking after a particularly heavy challenge on Ruari MacLennan and was soon getting stick from the home supporters. Ten minutes, the player gesticulated to the fans and was promptly sent off by the referee.

Linlithgow boss McGlynn then introduced Coyne and was soon rewarded with the winner, Graham Weir heading the ball back across goal for Coyne to knock home.

Linlithgow: Adams, McGregor, Baptie, McKenzie, Lieper, Batchelor, Shirra, MacLennan, Kelly, Weir, Gray. Subs: Coyne, Kelbie, Thom, McKinven.

Broughty: Ross, McCunnie, Cameron, Wibart, Myles, Lunnan, Suttie, Winter, Buchan, Duell, Lawson. Subs: Sinclair, McConnachie, McLellan, Smart, Kesson.