Spartans 3, Coldstream 1: Spartans stay on course with hard-fought win

TITLE-CHASING Spartans took a controversial 25th-minute lead after being awarded a debatable free-kick on the edge of the area as the referee ignored claims for a foul on a Coldstream player moments earlier. Hoskins' free-kick swerved round the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.

On 35 minutes, a long ball caught out the visitors' defence and Walker lashed in an unstoppable shot beyond Lumsden.

Two minutes before half-time, it looked all over as Spartans grabbed their third, a simple header by Opilka from a corner.

After the break, the introduction of substitutes Evans and Travis gave Coldstream a bit more control in the middle of the park and, in the best move of the game, Tyson, Travis and McLean joined in a perfect passing move before the final pass was finished off by McLean. With five minutes to go, Coldstream's Brydon was pushed over in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Eager to double his tally, McLean grabbed the ball, but his penalty hit the bar.

Spartans: Flockhart, Archibald, Hoskins, Opilka, Gerrard, Kadir, King, Mason, Walker, McLeod, Henretty Subs: Malin, Etale, Devlin, Preston, Hair

Coldstream: Lumsden, D McNulty, McLean, Brown, G Renton, D Brydon, Tyson, Bolton, Wales, Simpson, J Brydon Subs: Evans, Travis, P McNulty