Prior to Monday night’s 2-1 loss away to Glasgow Perthshire, Neilston picked up a crucial 3-1 win over Blantyre Vics at Brig O’Lea on Saturday. 

They came from behind to close the gap on third place St Roch’s who lost away to Port Glasgow. The Farmers boys kept the same line-up from the last four games.

Neilston began the first half well but suffered an early injury in the 10th minute when McDade limped off to be replaced by Convery. 

Vics opened the scoring in the 15th minute with their first attack of the game when a corner wasn’t dealt with at the front post and Murdoch forced the ball home. 

Neilston equalised in the 24th minute when McBryde’s free-kick was headed across the goal by Diack to Fletcher who headed home into the bottom corner. 

The home side exerted a spell of pressure and came close twice to taking the lead before half-time. 

The Farmers Boys then started the second half on the front foot and good play down the right from Docherty set up Fletcher but his effort was cleared off the line.

Neilston took the lead in the 70th minute when Fletcher’s cross was touched by Stewart in the path of Curren who slotted the ball into the bottom corner. 

The Vics were denied an equaliser a minute later when Tiropoulos produced another great save to deny McKenzie and he put the rebound into the side net.

At the other end, Neilston came close to extending their lead but Stewart’s effort was kicked off the line by the defender.

Five minutes later the home keeper produced another save as he turned Brown’s shot around the post. From the corner, Coleman then hit the post.

Neilston sealed all three points in the dying minutes when McBryde found Fletcher down the right and he cut inside to square for Frizzell who slotted the ball home from six yards out.

The result against Blantyre Vics was a welcome boost after Neilston’s unbeaten run ended as they suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to promotion rivals St Roch’s last Wednesday. 

Neilston were caught cold in the opening minute when a long ball over the defence allowed McManus to slot home. 

Later Neilston started the second half on the front foot and equalized in the 49th minute when Curren’s cross fell to McBryde on the edge of the box and he slotted the ball into the bottom corner through a ruck of players. 

They kept the pressure up and Diack should have scored but put his header over the bar from six yards out. 

Neilston then came close to taking the lead when sub Frizzell’s shot was brilliantly tipped around the post by Stark.

But St Roch’s scored the winner in the 77th minute when sub Maguire broke down the right and his cross found Logan who turned his marker to fire a low shot into the bottom corner.

Neilston pressed for the equaliser but the Candy’s defence was blocking everything and the last chance fell to Stewart who blasted the ball well over the bar.

In the dying minutes, both sides ended with 10 men after Young and Logan got involved outside the home dugout and the ref showed the pair second yellows.