GREENOCK’s win in Alexandria last night has set up a decider against local rivals Port Glasgow on Saturday in Group Seven of the Sectional League Cup.

Last night’s match was similar in many ways to when the Port came to Vale of Leven seven days ago, in that Greenock were the better of the two teams, but had to come back from losing the opening goal before snatching a late winner. The opening 45 minutes saw a dour midfield battle, with very few goalmouth incidents. But it was the Vale who got their noses in front through a David McNaught strike on 25 minutes.

Thankfully, the second half was a much livelier affair.

Jamie McKenna got on the end of a Martin Orr cross to level the scores early on, and there looked to be only one winner when the Vale were reduced to 10 men, Shaun Quinn being the man sent for an early bath for a high elbow on Orr.

However it was the home side who took the lead for a second time, when Craig Cowan netted after 74 minutes.

With Port Glasgow winning over in Johnstone, defeat would have spelt the end of Greenock’s hopes of topping the group, but with 12 minutes left David McGarrigle fired home the equaliser.

And the winner came five minutes later, when an inch-perfect pass from Orr split the home defence and found substitute Darren McLachlan, who curled a neat shot into the net for his second strike in five days after coming off the bench.

Greenock manager Martin Campbell said: “I felt in general terms we had most of the ball, but we certainly had to work hard for that win.

“We were pounding the Vale at 1-1, then they went up the park and scored. But just like last Saturday, our subs came on and helped to change the game, and Darren took his goal well.” GREENOCK: McWilliams, Orr, Doherty (McLachlan 69), Scott, McGarrigle, Williams, T. Docherty (Brown 53), McKay, McKenna, A. Docherty, Gillan. Subs not used: N. Docherty, L. Docherty, Monk.

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