GREENOCK took another huge step towards Super League First Division survival with this battling performance at Cumbernauld on Saturday.

On a warm, sunny day at Guys Meadow, it was a hard-earned three points against a side who, until this result at least, still had an outside chance of challenging for promotion.

And the late winner by John Carter, pictured, turned the tables on Cumbernauld, who did the same at Ravenscraig earlier in the season.

The striker actually almost scored within nine minutes in this match, when he broke clear in the box but saw his shot palmed away by home keeper Mark Quinn.

And in a lively start, Cumbernauld came close two minutes later, with a Dominic O’Halloran shot clipping the top of the crossbar.

Carter’s pace was troubling the home defence, and on 27 minutes he burst clear down the wing, but his cutback just eluded fellow striker Alan Docherty on the six-yard line.

The rest of the half saw Cumbernauld pressing hard, with former Morton midfielder Kevin Finlayson at the heart of much of their moves.

Joe McCafferty did have the ball in the Greenock net, but it was ruled offside and the half ended goal-less.

The Cumbernauld winger then came close just seven minutes into the second period, but keeper Mark Monk tipped his header round the post.

And 60 seconds later Kevin McKay put Greenock ahead, drilling a low shot into the net from just inside the box.

Cumbernauld were rattled, but stormed back, with James Brown missing a golden chance to equalise as he sliced his shot wide just as he seemed certain to score.

But the home side’s pressure eventually paid off on 72 minutes.

With the Greenock defence wrongly claiming the ball had gone over the line, Chris Zok crossed for Ross Foley to head home from six yards out.

Greenock were now under the cosh as Cumbernauld pressed for the winner, but their defence held firm.

And with eight minutes remaining they snatched the winner when an Alan Docherty pass saw Carter in a chase for the ball with the home keeper. And despite the risk of getting clattered, Carter bravely won the race to head over keeper Quinn and into the net.

There was then more Cumbernauld pressure, but the Greenock defence stayed resolute for a well-deserved victory.

Goal hero Carter said: ‘’We expected a hard game, but we came here to push for the three points and got them. At my goal the keeper’s foot was a bit high and I got a cut chin for my efforts, but it was worth it and we deserved the victory.’’ Manager Stevie Mooney said: ‘’I was delighted with the performance, and the win was especially pleasing after what happened to us against Cumbernauld at Ravenscraig. To be honest I would have settled for a point, but the boys dug in deep and got the win, which just shows their character.” The matches come thick and fast for Greenock, who return to action on Wednesday night with a trip to face title challengers Beith, kick-off 6.45pm.

GREENOCK: Monk, Orr, Doherty, Begley, Jamieson, L. Docherty (Kearns 76), Downie (Williams 45), McKenna (Irvine 60), Carter, A. Docherty, McKay. Subs not used: Boyd, Gillan.

l Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar.