Super-sub Ralph Brand makes it two wins out of two for new boss Flaherty

Super-sub Ralph Brand scored the only goal of the match to give Carnoustie Panmure a valuable away league victory over Bo'ness United on Saturday afternoon.

The veteran striker replaced James Russell in 70 minutes and just 60 seconds later fired low into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to double the Laing Park outfit's points tally for the season. and make it two wins out of two for new boss Ian Flaherty.

Just prior to the kick-off, Carnoustie were dealt a blow when regular goalkeeper Jim Butter, carrying an ankle injury, failed a late fitness test. Michael Whyte deputised between the posts with Butter dropping to the bench where he was joined by Kevin Cumming, Ralph Brand, Grant Miller and Garry Warren.

Gowfers' skipper Gary Ogilvie celebrated his return to the starting line-up by winning the toss and electing to play with the wind in the first half.

Bo'ness kicked-off, but it was Carnoustie who applied the first real pressure of the game. From a free kick on the halfway line, Craig played the ball deep into the home box where it was headed away by G. Smith.

Morrison was first to the loose ball and quickly fired it back in, but his 25 yard drive was wide of 'keeper Connolly's left-hand post.

Shortly afterwards, the Gowfers again had a chance to open the scoring when a D. Smith corner from the right was dropped by Connolly, but none of the visiting forwards could react quickly enough before the 'keeper had time to gather the ball at the second attempt.

Carnoustie continued to press and forced another corner, this time on the left. D. Smith again took the kick, but this time his cross was cleared away by McKay.

Bo'ness then began to come more into the game and the Gowfers' defence had a few anxious moments after Hall fouled McKay 30 yards out. Gray's free kick was blocked for a corner by the defensive wall, but Kenny's cross from the right was cleared away upfield by Wilkie.

Kenny went down injured after a midfield clash with Hall, but was able to resume after treatment.

A clearance kick by Whyte was headed back by G. Smith from the halfway line. Brown collected the loose ball and tried a shot from the corner of the box, but his effort was too direct and went straight to the Gowfers' 'keeper.

A deep ball into the visitors' box by McGlinchey was well held by Whyte, who came smartly off his line to gather the ball ahead of the inrushing home forwards.

As the interval approached, Carnoustie pushed forward once more and Abbot got in a shot from a D. Smith corner, but it was too direct and Connolly had no trouble making the save.

Half-time: Bo'ness United 0, Carnoustie Panmure 0.

Shortly after the restart, Carnoustie forced their way up the right and won a corner, again taken by D. Smith, but his cross curled straight into Connolly's hands.

At the other end, Brown battled his way through for Bo'ness and got in a shot, which Whyte did well to hold on the line.

Collier was then put through by J. Russell, but his shot was too straight and easily held by Connolly.

In 59 minutes, McKay had to go off for treatment and Bo'ness continued for a time with just 10 men.

Trying to capitalise on the extra man advantage, Collier laid the ball off to J. Russell, who turned and got in a shot, but Connolly brought off a fine save.

The home side were eventually restored to full complement in 62 minutes when McKay was unable to resume and was replaced by Docherty.

Moments later, the Gowfers survived a scare when a Donnelly free kick was only partially cleared by the Carnoustie defence. The ball broke out to Kenny, whose fierce 25 yard drive hit the crossbar, came down and spun away from the goal when it so easily could have gone the other way and ended up in the back of the net.

Abbot tried an attempt at goal from 20 yards, but ballooned the ball high over the top.

With 20 minutes remaining, Carnoustie made their vital match-winning substitution, Brand taking over from J. Russell.

A minute later, an Abbot cross from the right was headed on by Collier and fell to super-sub BRAND, who turned at the edge of the box before firing low into the 'keeper's right-hand corner to put the Gowfers ahead.

Craig almost made it two when he spotted Connolly off his line, but his long-range effort from the halfway line was just wide of the 'keeper's left-hand post.

Bo'ness had a chance to draw level from a free kick 40 yards out, but G. Russell put the ball straight into Whyte's arms.

As the home side continued to push for an equaliser, Carnoustie had a lucky escape when a Morrison clearance fell to Muir, who shot weakly past from the edge of the box when he should have done better.

Moments later, lady luck was again smiling on the Gowfers when Ogilvie sliced an attempted clearance from a Kenny cross against Whyte's left-hand post from where it rebounded clear.

In 89 minutes, a Muir corner from the left was knocked back across the face of the goal by Donnelly at the far post, but Gray headed narrowly over from six yards, much to the Gowfers' relief.

Shortly afterwards, the referee signalled the end of the match and Carnoustie once again returned home with all three points, having held out for a second successive one-goal victory.

Line-Ups:

Bo'ness United : Connolly, Mauchline, G. Russell, Gray, G. Smith, McKay (Docherty 62), McGlinchey (Muir 58), Donnelly, Brown, Gallacher, Kenny. Substitutes, not used - Hagan, Mortimer, Ferguson (gk).

Carnoustie Panmure : Whyte, Narey, Craig, Ogilvie, Wilkie, Morrison, Abbot (Miller 90), Hall, Collier (Warren 89), J. Russell (Brand 70), D. Smith. Substitutes, not used - Cumming, Butter (gk).

Referee, G. Salmond, North Berwick.