A 96th minute penalty from the returning Brian Henderson rescued a point for the Ants, which was in fairness the least the deserved against Vale of Leven at McKenna Park. The Ants were looking to bounce back from defeat the previous week to Lanark, with Vale of Leven looking to pick themselves up after Perthshire hit them for four with no reply in their last match.
The Ants started brightly and Smith tried his luck from distance, his shot deflected from the head of Devine and Andrew Campbell made a smart stop to spare the defenders blushes, then a neat interchange between Miller and Kane saw the former whip in a cross ball which Campbell could only attempt to punch under pressure, but he didn’t connect properly, luckily for the visiting Vale, McGeachy was on hand to clear the ball off the line with McKay bearing down on a tap in. Vale were finding it difficult to create any real chances of their own, and once again had their keeper Campbell to thank, this time getting down swiftly to get a hand to a Crawford low drilled cross, Maxwell looked to pounce on the loose ball but he was beaten to the ball by Vale captain Wilson and the chance was gone.
In the 22nd minute Vale of Leven fashioned their first real chance of the match but Monaghan’s effort was well blocked by Lennox and cleared to safety, then 10 minutes later Scott Cowan rose well to connect to a Craig Cowan cross but couldn’t direct his header on target and the chance was gone.
The Ants continued to press forward looking to break the deadlock and Maxwell did well to beat two challenges and fire goalward but Campbell again saved well, then a Kane cross looked to be creeping in at the far post but once again Campbell thwarted the Ants with a fine diving save. Just before half time came the save of the match, Crawford’s free kick was headed straight back to him by Wilson and the winger fired another shot which looked destined for the back of the net, but Campbell somehow got down to it and then showed great agility to save again from Kane, albeit with the Ants player co-manager in an offside position and the Ref blowing for the offence. This was the last action of the half and the teams went in locked at 0-0.
The second half was basically a carbon copy of the first with the Ants enjoying the majority of chances but being unable to capitalise on them. With the second half minutes old Crawford whipped in a free kick which met the head of Kane but his looping header dipped too late and dropped the wrong side of the cross bar. The Ants did have the ball in the net in the 54th minute when a deep Conway cross saw Maxwell jump with the Vale keeper and bundle the ball into the net but the current Ants Player of the Year was adjudged correctly to have barged the ‘keeper and a free kick awarded then Kane again tried his luck from range but his shot lacked power.
A goal was coming, you could feel it and in the 62nd minute it did, however what wasn’t expected was it to be for the visitors given the Ants monopoly on chances, but the old adage of taking your chances comes to mind. Neossi gained possession of the ball in his own penalty area from a Vale free kick and advanced forward, his pass into midfield though went straight to Bryson, he found Scott Cowan with a lofted pass, who headed the ball into the path of JOSH GRACE, who showed good composure to slam the ball past Daniel Campbell to give the visitors the lead 0-1. Bizarrely the game was then held up for 3 minutes, which were to prove costly for the visitors when Vale of Leven ‘Keeper Campbell injured himself celebrating the opening goal with what appeared to be some kind of calf strain when he jumped to punch the air.
Straight from kick off the Ants went back on the attack, Conway playing the ball to Kane, who found Crawford. The winger cut inside but his shot lacked power and was easily gathered, then Kane again tried his luck from distance but shot again straight at the visiting goalie. Time was running out for the Ants and Miller shot just wide of the target from a free kick. In the 90th minute Grace looked to have sealed all three points for the visitors as his shot beat Campbell but the Ants fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when his shot hit the upright and rolled to safety. Still the Ants pushed for the equaliser and Miller was inches away from the edge of the box but his effort flew just past the post.
In the 95th minute the Ants grabbed a vital lifeline for an equaliser, Henderson found Miller who’s diagonal pass was judged to perfection for Kimbala to race onto, as the diminutive hitman went to control the ball Campbell, who had been having a great game for the visitors, came from nowhere and jumped clean through the Ants striker leaving ref Murphy with no option but to award a penalty and issue a red card. BRIAN HENDERSON stepped up with what turned out to be the last kick of the ball and captain Wilson who had taken over the gloves was left with no chance as the ball went the opposite side to his dive and it finished 1-1.
Next up for the Ants is another home game, this time v Royal Albert on Saturday 18th February. Kick Off 2pm.
Ants Website Man of the Match – Tony Kane (Poll will be back after the end of the month)
