Nine-man Spartans produced a miracle

Nine-man Spartans produced a miracle as they came from two goals down to pull off an unlikely 3-2 victory over East Stirlingshire at the Falkirk

Stadium.

Dougie Samuel’s men looked doomed after Nicky Low and an own goal from Michael Bolochoweckyj had the hosts 2-0 up inside the opening ten minutes.

However, midfielder Ian McFarland’s 30-yard strike into the top corner reduced the arrears seven minutes prior to the half-time interval.

And things got even better for the visitors two minutes later when Jack Smith, making his return from injury, collected a pass from Aaron Murrell before sending an unstoppable effort again from distance to level the match.

Spartans had an uphill struggle in the second half when Alan Brown – and then Dean Hoskins – were sent off but they dug deep to find the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Jake Davidson made his way to the edge of the home side’s penalty box before sending an angled strike into the bottom corner.

Spartans move up to sixth in the table.

Meanwhile, Bonnyrigg Rose remain hot on the heels of current league leaders Kelty Hearts following a hard-fought 2-0 win over bottom club Vale of Leithen in the Borders.

In difficult conditions, George Hunter headed Robbie Horn’s outfit in front ten minutes into the second half. Dean Brett sealed the points in the final minute.

Fifth-placed Civil Service Strollers were beaten 3-2 by Cumbernauld Colts at Christie Gillies Park.

Colts found themselves 2-0 to the good before John Dunn provided hope with his first goal for the club since joining from Edinburgh City.

The visitors restored their two-goal lead before Cameron Muirhead set up a nervy finish.

Elsewhere, a goal from Ross Watters couldn’t prevent Edinburgh University from a 2-1 defeat to Caledonia Braves at Alliance Park.