Whitburn slipped off the top of the East of Scotland Conference Division X as they had to come from behind to draw with rivals Armadale Thistle at Volunteer Park - but a late Darren Liddell double keeps their title hopes alive, writes Callum McCormack.
Goals from Thomas Murphy and Stuart McLeod gave Thistle a 2-0 lead before Whitburn hit back through a Darren Liddell double.
In a game lacking in true clear cut chances but not in action, the opening exchanges took place more in midfield than at the top end of the park. Both sides worked hard to break each other down but often found themselves met with stern resistance.
Whitburn would have the first real chance of the game. On nine minutes, Reece Duncan’s good running looked to have been for nothing as he got the ball caught under his feet and he stumbled over. Despite this, he was able to find the onrushing Louis Maguire. His shot across goal was unlucky not to find the net.
Thistle’s industrious harrying gave the Burnie players little time on the ball and often forced Whitburn into rushed decision making. With 13 minutes on the clock, Thistle would capitalise.
J.J Henderson’s floated free-kick wasn’t dealt with properly by the Whitburn defence and Lennon Watson’s poor clearance only went as far as Thistle left back Murphy. His sublime effort with the outside of his left boot found the top corner to give Armadale the lead.
For much of the next 20 minutes, Thistle would find themselves in control of the game but without threatening the Whitburn goal, with the Burnie defence generally able to deal with Thistle’s attempts to break them down but unable to wrangle back control of the game.
This was a true blood and guts derby tie aided by a noisy crowd of 605. And an at times tempestuous affair ensured that referee Michael Walsh was kept busy, no more so than on 30 minutes when McLeod’s robust tackle on Maguire resulted in consternation from both sides and a flurry of yellow cards.
On 34 minutes Whitburn would have their best chance of the first half. Duncan this time finding Liddell at the edge of the box. The striker was through one-on-one with Connor Shaw in the Armadale goal but he will be disappointed not to have seen his effort hit the target.
Into the second half and Whitburn would again go close to an equaliser. Dylan Weldon couldn’t quite capitalise on Gregg Forrest’s short back pass and Shaw was on hand to clear.
Thistle would extend their lead a minute later. Murphy’s lovely through ball found McLeod who raced through under pressure from Mick McGarahan. The winger did well to hold him off however and found the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
It looked like Armadale were home and hosed with Whitburn being restricted to few chances as the game entered its final 20 minutes. However, a three minute flurry would turn the game on its head.
First, Daniel Potts' free-kick from his own half bypassed much of the Armadale defence allowing Liddell to glance a header towards goal. Shaw was able to get an outstretched hand to it but it wasn’t enough to deny Whitburn a way back into the game.
Then with 75 minutes on the clock, Duncan again found Liddell. This time he made no mistake as he burst beyond the Thistle defence and slid the ball beyond Shaw.
Duncan could have sealed the victory for Whitburn deep in stoppage time. He did well to get to the edge of the six yard box but might have chosen to cross rather than shoot with Liddell waiting at the back post.
The result sees Whitburn drop to second in the table on goal difference and now look forward to the visit of Stoneyburn to Central Park on Saturday. Armadale are in King Cup action on Tuesday before hosting Bo’ness Athletic at Volunteer Park on Friday.
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