NEILSTON slipped into the relegation zone when they suffered a narrow defeat to Carluke Rovers at John Cummings Stadium on Saturday.

A goal in the last six minutes gave the home side victory despite the Farmer’s Boys taking the lead and having further chances.

Manager Andy Whiteford had defensive problems before the game with Martin McInnes suspended and others out injured so he recalled coach, James Lennox into centre half. He gave new signing Lee Shankie a place on the bench.

Neilston had Rovers on the back foot in the opening stages when they forced a few corners and had Allan Diack’s header cleared off the line. Carluke missed a great chance five minutes later when unmarked Wilson headed over from eight yards out.

Neilston opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Robbie CAMERON scored from the spot after Daniel McKay was upended in the box. The lead didn’t last long after the home side drew level in the 29th minute when Hill picked up loose ball to see his shot deflected over the advancing keeper and into the net.

Neilston nearly took the lead again just before the interval when good link between Craig Murphy and Derek Kennedy down the right set up Robbie Cameron in the box but he put his header just over.

Half-time: Carluke 1—1 Neilston The home side had the first chance of the second when Watt found space to fire his deflected off the post for a corner. At the other end, a long ball caught the Rovers out and Cameron’s little flick over the advancing keeper to hit the post and ball was cleared.

Neilston missed a great chance to take the lead when Allan Diack’s cross found an unmarked Robbie Cameron but he could only head it straight into Bruce’s arms. Minutes later James Digney prevented the home side to go in front when he tipped McCole’s shot over the bar.

Neilston made their change in the 70th minute when Tam McGaughey replaced Daniel McKay and he became involved right away as his cross was headed just wide off the target by Robbie Cameron.

Tam McGaughey’s free kick went just over the bar after Derek Kennedy was fouled just outside the box.

Neilston would regret missing their chances as the home side took all the three points with six minutes left from a mistake. McCole managed to squeeze the ball through the players into the net.

Neilston’s man of the Match: Craig O’Brien Neilston: Digney, Murphy, O’Brien, Brodie, Lennox, Stevenson, McCuish (Hopewell), Diack, McKay (McGaughey), Cameron, Kennedy (Kelly). Subs not used: Docherty and Shankie.