TWO goals in the last 10 minutes saw Helensburgh FC pick up their first win in five games on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 victory at home to Strathclyde University.

Helensburgh started stronger, but early chances for David Allan and Scott Petro went a-begging, and the Strathclyde side steadily took a grip of the game, creating a few chances of their own.

The visitors opened the scoring when a Helensburgh corner was cleared up the park and a missed challenge allowed the visitors to break quickly, before more sloppy defending set up the Strathclyde striker for a simple tap-in.

The rest of the first half was hard to watch as the home team struggled to find passes and were fortunate not to end the half further behind.

Helensburgh started the second half strongly, but Allan’s shot was smothered on the line before a Karl Johansson shot flew just over the bar.

The hosts were fortunate not to fall further behind to a Strathclyde side who were a constant threat on the counter-attack, but Helensburgh remained the stronger side – and with 10 minutes remaining their pressure finally paid off when a Derek Park corner was headed home by substitute Brooks Tadlock.

Helensburgh threw everything at the Strathclyde defence in the closing stages, but it looked as if they’d have to settle for a draw – until, in the last minute, another Park corner was only half cleared by the visiting keeper, and Steve Bailey’s spectacular scissor-kick from six yards secured the points.

Assistant manager Dave Boxall said: “It was a difficult game, up against a team that will give others in the league a difficult time, however over the past few games the lads have been getting more into the form that we have been used to seeing.

"Hopefully we are now out our wee mini slump and with the return of some guys who have been out with long term injuries and deployments should see us at full strength after the new year."

Squad: Paul Cavanna, Stuart Bailey, Marc McNeil, Russell Makeham, Steven Martin, David Wilkie, Karl Johansson, David Sinclair, Scott Petro, Scott Findlay, David Allan, Steven Bailey, Derek Park, Brooks Tadlock.

* Meanwhile, Rhu Amateurs’ league game against Dunblane SC last Saturday was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Rhu host Rothesay Brandane at Ardenconnel Park this Saturday, December 15 – kick-off is at 2pm.