Anvils leave it late to knock out Lochar

GRETNA 2008 netted a last gasp winner against Lochar Thistle to ensure progression in the Southern Counties Challenge Cup last Saturday. The Lowland League side ran out 3-2 winners in the end away to their South of Scotland League opponents. Thistle scored first on 15 minutes when Rory Copland’s cut back found captain Lewis Todd arriving into the box and the midfielder side footed home. Gretna started the second period on the front foot and it came as no surprise when an equaliser came on 52 minutes as ex-Lochar legend Iain Anderson bulleted home a header. The visitors then took the lead on 66 minutes with a good curling effort into the bottom corner of the net by the returning Greg McCaragher. Lochar rolled up their sleeves and again took the game to the visitors. They were rewarded on 73 minutes when Jack Caskie’s cross-cum-shot went in off the post. Thistle looked to win it, Jim Atkinson made a superb save before Todd’s header on the follow up crashed off the post. With seconds remaining on the clock, and penalties looming, a bit of quality saw McCaragher’s strike from 20 yards nestle into the Lochar goal. Gretna boss Vinnie Parker said: “I’m happy to get through the next round, that was the end goal today. “We knew it was going to be hard, Lochar are a good side and a tough opponent, especially at Wilson Park.” The Black and Whites welcome Broxburn Athletic to Raydale on Saturday as they return to league action.