Spartans pass up chance to close gap on third place after narrow loss to BSC Glasgow

Blair Atkinson was a constant threat but Spartans fell to defeat against BSC Glasgow

Spartans missed the opportunity to close the gap to two points on third-placed BSC Glasgow in the Lowland League as they went down to a Thomas Collins winner at Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium.

As a result, they remain fifth and now trail their opponents by eight points.

In a rather tepid first half in Clackmannanshire, Jack Smith was first to catch glimpse of the BSC goal, but his shot from distance failed to trouble Ryan Marshall.

Blair Carswell was called into action just minutes after the restart when he prevented Thomas Orr from opening the scoring.

However, Orr then found space down the right and his pinpoint cross was met by Collins, who blasted his shot high beyond a helpless Carswell in the visitors’ goal.

This saw the home outfit increase the tempo and Jamie McCormack’s deflected shot went close to doubling BSC’s lead.

Spartans spurned a great opportunity to restore parity midway when Aaron Murrell latched onto Scott Maxwell’s lofted pass, but the striker couldn’t keep his effort under the crossbar.

Blair Atkinson was a constant menace in the hosts’ defence and captain Adam Corbett headed wide late on as Spartans fell to defeat.

East Stirlingshire school students

Elsewhere, Edinburgh University slipped to the foot of the table after going down 3-0 to East Stirlingshire at East Peffermill.

With Vale of Leithen registering a 3-1 success at Gala Fairydean Rovers, the students have now won just once in 18 attempts, although they do have a game in hand over Vale.

Following a goalless opening 45 minutes, the visitors grew in confidence and netted the opener four minutes after the restart when former Spartans midfielder Jamie Dishington headed in from a corner.

Nicky Low’s 30-yard free-kick 12 minutes from time made it two before Low turned provider to set up Sean Brown, who headed home with just minutes to spare.