NEILSTON co-boss Derek Carson admits he had never seen anything like the events that preceded his team’s 2-1 win over Glasgow Perthshire on Saturday.

The Farmer’s Boys returned to winning ways, thanks to goals from Kieran Brophy and Dylan Fletcher, but it was what went on before kick-off that stuck in Carson’s mind.

When the Neilston squad arrived at Keppoch Park, the pitch markings had still to be completed, with the referee just minutes away from calling the game off.

Carson believes the hosts didn’t want the game to take place – and he was delighted to secure all three points at a difficult venue.

He told Barrhead Sport: “Our main aim on Saturday was to get back to winning ways after the disappointing performance against Petershill.

“The preparations before the game were like I’ve never seen before. We turned up at the park and it wasn’t lined. We asked the committee what was happening and they said it would be done before the game kicked off.

“Time started ticking away and we were in the changing room, getting ready to go and do the warm up, and nothing was happening.

“The referee said he was close to calling the game off. We were three-quarters of the way through our warm-up.

“If I’m being honest and going by what the referee said, I don’t think they wanted the game played.

“It was excuse after excuse. One minute they didn’t have the key to line the park and then they found it but there was no stuff and the next minute they’ve got the lining machine out.

“We walk away with the 2-1 victory and three points in the bag, which is what we went there for. Teams will lose points there.”

On the park, Brophy netted the opening goal when he latched on to a clearance by Euan Clark and slotted the ball past the home goalkeeper.

Craig Smith hit back for the hosts after Neilston had missed some good chances to extend their advantage but Fletcher bagged the winner in the second half as he got on the end of Conor Bolger’s cross.

Neilston will look to make the most of their game in hand when they return to West of Scotland Football League action at the Brig O’Lea this Saturday.

Ardrossan Winton Rovers are the visitors in what is the only fixture being played in Conference C this weekend. Kick-off is at 2pm.