Three goals and four red cards ensured Saturday’s Stewartry derby provided plenty of talking points.
And it was Threave Rovers who emerged with the bragging rights as they took a narrow 2-1 win over St Cuthbert Wanderers at St Mary’s Park.
Saints felt they were denied the opener when Dale Milligan looked set to poke the ball home but appeared to be pulled back by Threave goalie Jake Gemmell and referee Cameron Telfer awarded a foul against the striker.
Milligan soon got his revenge when he put Saints in front but Threave drew level when Liam Patterson forced the ball over the line after a scramble at the corner.
Before the break Saints were reduced to 10 men as Sebastian Teneggi was booked twice in quick succession, the second for reacting to a Jack McMurdo foul.
McMurdo put his side in front after the break following good work from Jordan Patterson before Saints were reduced to nine men when Milligan picked up his second booking.
And late on Luke McMurtrie also received a second yellow for a bad challenge, Threave’s Lewis Todd being dismissed moments later to bring the red card count to four.
Threave boss Sam Warren said: “Our performance wasn’t the best but we got three points and that was the most important thing. For some reason, we have struggled against 10 men this season.
“We have been up against 10 men two or three times this season and struggled a bit. They were obviously fired up and that showed on more than one occasion.
“I thought the referee actually had a good game for once. I didn’t see any of the challenges that got yellow cards that shouldn’t have been and that includes the red card that we got.”
The win means Threave are 13 points clear of Mid Annandale who have played two games more.
Their main challenge is likely to come from Abbey Vale and Stranraer who are far behind but have plenty of games in hand.
Those two sides played on Saturday with Stranraer emerging 2-0 victors.
Warren said: “We would have liked it to be a draw beforehand but to be honest I’m not really looking at our results.
“We have a lot of hard games to come, a lot of them away games, and we still have Abbey Vale and Stranraer to play.”
The hard games continue this weekend with Threave making the trip to Ayrshire to face Bonnyton Thistle.
The Meadow Park gaffer added: We gave them a good beating earlier in the season but up there it will be a different game.
“It will be a fair challenge and three points is the main thing.
“To be fair to the squad, I’ve got no worries and boys who come in are more than capable of making a position their own when handed the chance.”
