Neilston’s play-off hopes now rest with other teams after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wishaw at the Beltane.

It was a poor encounter, with not many clear-cut chances, as a goal midway through the first half was enough to secure victory for the home side.

However, Wishaw still have to win five of their remaining six games to pip Neilston to fourth place and, with it, the play-off spot against Maryhill or Shettleston.

Neilston made one change to the previous week’s line-up, with Alan Frizzell coming in for Lewis Lovering, who was unavailable.

The game took some time to get going, with Wishaw looking more likely to open the scoring.
They went close as Andy Duffy was allowed to cut inside before firing a shot inches past the post.

At the other end, Alan Frizzell headed over the crossbar from Simon McBryde’s corner.

Wishaw then opened the scoring in the 25th minute when good link play found Vinny Maguire on the edge of the box and he fired home past Robert Tiropoulos, with the help of a deflection.

Neilston responded but rarely threatened the home goal, although McBryde fired over the bar from a Martin Curren corner.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first, with neither team threatening the goal.

Neilston were struggling to make an impact as the home defence coped well with anything thrown at them.

The visitors then made a double change, with Kieran McDade and co-manager John Paul Dow (pictured) replacing Frizzell and Curren.

However, it seemed more likely that the home side would score the next goal.

As Neilston pushed for the equaliser, they left gaps at the back, with Maguire and Michael Collander having chances, only to be denied by Tiropoulos.

Neilston managed their first shot on target in the dying minutes but Dylan Fletcher’s effort was easily saved by the home keeper.