Shotts skipper leads by example as club get West of Scotland First Division title bid back on track at Neilston

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Shotts coach William McElholm says his side dug deep to beat Neilston and get their West of Scotland First Division title bid back on track.Captain Ally Martin led by example as he scored what proved to be the winner at Brig O’Lea from a Harry Kent cross, who also bagged the winner.Though the Hannah Park club have defeated Glenafton and Eglinton in cup games, it was their first league game since a 6-0 thumping by Drumchapel United.But Saturday’s win leaves Shotts sixth in the table, five points behind leaders Petershill, with four games in hand, and McElholm is pleased to be back on form.He said: “It was good to get back to league business, and the boys did really well.“Conditions weren’t great, the weather was horrendous, and in the first half we were up against it with the wind, so it was quite difficult for Sandy Thomson in goals.“But the boys dug deep, it was a performance that you’re after, especially at this time of the season.“All the boys rolled up their sleeves, so we’re delighted.“Probably in the first 25 or 30 minutes of the game I felt as if we dominated, got the goal, it was a great finish from Harry Kent, and I thought he was absolutely outstanding.“We got the goal, dropped off a wee bit and lost our way, so we got them in at half-time and I think in the second half we had a good few chances to kill the game off, early doors.“Ben Richford missed three good chances, then we got the second and it was a case of hanging on towards the end.“Neilston were pushing, without really causing any issues, but there was a wee lapse in concentration at the end and they managed to sneak a goal back.”McElholm added: “Ally Martin was great as well, leading by example.“He was a driving force in the middle of the park, on the