Published: Monday, 8th February, 2010 2:00pm

Coyle is spot-on

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THORNIEWOOD 0

PORT GLASGOW 1

A PAUL Coyle spot-kick saw Port Glasgow return from Uddingston with three vital points.

Just 48 hours before kick-off, there seemed no way this match would take place on a snow-covered Robertson Park, but the dramatic improvement in the weather conditions allowed referee Graham McNeillie to rule the pitch playable.

However, silky football was at a premium on the soft surface, with the first 25 minutes a midfield battle.

As Port Glasgow gradually got on top, Jonathan Donnelly had an effort which went over the bar, before a push on Frank McKay inside the box saw the referee point to the spot. Coyle converted to give the Port the lead at the interval.

As the home side exerted more pressure in the second period, Sean Graham in the Port goal gathered a shot at the second attempt in 58 minutes, and the visitors had a narrow escape soon after, when a shot was cleared off the line, with Graham beaten.

But those were the only real scares for the Port defence, while at the other end Donnelly almost made it two just five minutes before the end.

Port boss Craig Brown said: "It was what I would describe as a really good away performance, where we had to dig in for long periods. But the boys stayed strong, and fought to the end. Special praise must go to Jonathan Donnelly, who worked his socks off for the whole 90 minutes."

This was a solid display from Port Glasgow, with the three points consolidating their mid-table position. And their day was made even better with the news that all of the sides below them in the league table had either lost or drawn.

Now they will be looking to build on that, when one of those teams, Blantyre Vics, come calling to Ravenscraig this Saturday.

Port Glasgow: Graham, Jack, Coyle, Stanton, Brown, Temporal, F McKay, Donnelly, Struthers, Wilson, Beckley. Subs not used: Molloy, K McKay, Kidd, Trialist.

● Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by 5 Star Plasterers, and WJ.

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