Spartans battle back to defeat ten-man Preston Athletic

Jack Beesley was on target for Spartans. Pic: TSPL

Spartans moved up to joint-second in the Lowland League after coming from a goal down to defeat ten-man Preston Athletic 2-1 at Ainslie Park.

Dougie Samuel’s side, however, remain 13 points adrift of runaway leaders East Kilbride whom they welcome to the Capital on Saturday.

It was the visitors who found themselves ahead in the 20th minute through Jack Jardine after Stuart Ritchie’s header had come back off the crossbar.

But the hosts drew level on the hour mark as Gavin Stevenson hauled down Jack Beesley in the area and the midfielder took the spot-kick himself sending goalkeeper Matthew Baines the wrong way. Stevenson was shown a second yellow card for his indiscipline.

Spartans completed the comeback seven minutes later when Scott Maxwell latched onto a Blair Tolmie pass and finished with ease. Preston, meanwhile, remain bottom having picked up just seven points from a possible 42.

Civil Service Strollers travel to East Kilbride tomorrow night.