ARTHURLIE boss Andy McFadyen has revealed that his team’s late winner on Saturday came straight from the training ground as they moved back to the top of the league.

Michael MacNeil headed in an 84th minute corner to grab all three points for the Barrhead outfit after they had twice been pegged back by Whitletts Victoria.

Arthurlie got off to a flyer as Gary Smith found the net but the visitors equalised towards the end of the first half when Jamie Henderson scored from the edge of the box.

It took just five minutes of the second period for the Dunterlie Park men to regain the lead as Tam McGauchey was fouled in the box, handing Gary Carroll the chance to score from the penalty spot.

His initial effort was saved but the rebound fell kindly to him and he knocked the ball home.

The home team were only ahead for 15 minutes, however, before Whitletts equalised again, this time through a deflected strike by Cammy Ross.

Then, with just six minutes to go, Arthurlie development squad graduate MacNeil bulleted home a header to secure all three points.

McFadyen believes it was his team’s toughest test this season.

He told Barrhead Sport: “It was a really hard-fought game and we got tested but we managed to come through it.

“That’s the toughest game we’ve played this season. The boys showed great character to come back and find another goal.

“A true reflection of the game would probably have been a draw but we managed to come up with the winner at the end.

“We’d been working on corners all week because big Michael has got great ability and height and power.

“It shows that set-pieces can pay off.”

McFadyen admits he is delighted to see Arthurlie at the top of Conference A but insists he won’t be getting carried away.

He added: “It’s nice to be back on top but I keep telling the boys to keep their feet on the ground and take it one game at a time.”

The Junior Cup takes centre stage this weekend, with Arthurlie heading to Duncansfield to face Kilsyth Rangers in the second round, although McFadyen admits he would prefer to get on with league business.

He explained: “I’d rather just concentrate on the league but cup games give us the opportunity to give some other boys game time.”