By Frank Cassidy
Arthurlie proved they are serious title contenders after beating main top spot rivals Shotts thanks to a clinical brace from super skipper Gary Carroll.
It was yet another entertaining match at Dunterlie Park which kept spectators of both sides enthralled until the final whistle.
Arthurlie have been playing catch-up with current Conference A leaders Shotts, albeit with two games in hand on their North Lanarkshire rivals, so it was vital for the hosts that all three points stayed in Barrhead.
And they showed they meant business early on with Carroll’s opening goal coming in just the ninth minute after a superb move.
Gary Smith started it off with a pass which found Tam McGaughey who then fired the ball into the box, where Carroll was on hand to finish well and break the deadlock.
Lee Roulston was unlucky with two long range shots as Arthurlie kept up the pressure, one saved at the expense of a corner while another cannoned off Smith.
Shotts were showing why they are currently top of the league though.
A Martin Shiels pass was just out of the reach of Craig Hastings, who was lurking in a dangerous position.
McGaughey then crashed a shot off the crossbar before the ball was scrambled clear for a corner as Arthurlie looked to stretch their lead.
It was now end-to-end with a series of near misses in both boxes. Scott Faulds shot past the post before McGaughey had a strike saved.
Nad Zeb then stopped Daniel Burns in his tracks with a well-timed tackle leading to a corner, with Chris Meikle’s header sailing just past the post.
With half-time just two minutes away, the visitors equalised through Faulds and it was game on with a fascinating second half on the cards.
It started off well for ‘Lie as a Dale Simeon cross was met by Carroll at the back post but he shot over.
Another Simeon cross, from a free-kick near the corner flag, was headed just past by Michael MacNeil as the hosts looked to restore their lead.
The next goal was going to be crucial and it came in 57 minutes when McGaughey was brought down in the box.
After a delay as the referee dealt with some fraying tempers, the calmest man on the park was Carroll as he slotted home from the penalty spot with ease.
While there were no more goals, there were plenty of talking points with a lofted shot from Zeb almost catching out keeper Johnny Murdoch.
Sub Andrew McLaughlin then produced a defence-splitting pass which was gathered by Simeon, whose shot was blocked. From the resultant corner, taken by fellow-sub Darren Ramsay, Smith powered in a header that was well saved by Murdoch.
Murdoch was beaten by Simeon shortly after in a one-on-one scenario, but the shot was just too high and sailed harmlessly over.
Nevertheless Arthurlie claimed the win which moves them to just two points behind Shotts with three games in hand.
