GREENOCK made heavy weather of it, but eventually overcame Lesmahagow to pick up another crucial three points last night.

The league’s bottom club came to Ravenscraig with just one league win all season — ironically against Greenock last autumn — and they proved to be difficult opposition again.

After a few early Greenock chances, it was the visitors who took control, and they went ahead after just 17 minutes when Jon McStay fired past home keeper Mark Monk.

Greenock were in disarray, with skipper Tam Jamieson and Ryan Begley having a fierce argument with each other.

But they gradually got their act together, and levelled on 32 minutes, when an Alan Docherty, above, pass sent Kevin McKay clear of the ‘Gow defence down the left, and his inviting cross was swept home by Ross Kearns.

With the floodlights now on on a gloomy evening, the expected Greenock onslaught in the second half failed to materialise, and they were fortunate not to concede again, when Jamieson and keeper Monk got in a fankle but the ball was deflected for a corner.

But they gradually regained the upper hand, and were hugely relieved when they got what proved to be the winner on 70 minutes.

The ‘Gow centre-forward was booked for a foul on the half-way line, and Begley sent the resultant free-kick into the box, where it was met by Alan Docherty, who neatly steered a header past visiting keeper Derek Barnes and into the corner of the net.

A relieved manager Stevie Mooney said: “The performance was nothing special, but it’s all about the result. Lesmahagow have a few very talented players, but we didn’t panic and eventually got our reward.” Greenock: Monk, Orr, Doherty, Begley, Jamieson, Kearns (Irvine 83), Downie, L. Docherty (Williams 79), Carter, A. Docherty, McKay (Gillan 64). Subs not used: Boyd, McKenna.

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