Central League: Second Division

Dunipace 3 - 2 Royal Albert

The final day of the league season and Dunipace knew that a victory, nothing else, was required in order to secure second spot in the final standings and promotion straight back to the First Division. With that in mind the home side started nervously and in truth the entire first half was a bit of a non-event as both teams scrapped it out in midfield, unable to put any meaningful passing moves together. This was particularly frustrating from a Dunipace point of view, having played some fantastic football in the run up to this point.

The second half started brightly with Dunipace looking more urgent but it was Albert who took the lead.

James Orr was robbed by the striker who expertly curled the ball high over both the attempted block from Graeme MacMillan and keeper Meighan into the top corner. And things were to get worse for the home side 5 minutes later when MacMillan felled the striker in the area to hand the away side a penalty. Meighan did well to save the initial effort but the rebound was forced over the line to make it 2 - 0 against with half an hour to play.

It all looked to be going horribly wrong for the Pace, who were now creating a number of chances but just couldn't put them away. Rodger had one cleared off the line before Wright fired over from close range.

With 20 minutes to go though, Dunipace did get themselves a lifeline when Grant, not noted for his aerial prowess, rose to fire an unstopable header beyond the keeper. Sensing a comeback Dunipace rallied again, by this stage throwing everything at Royal Albert and it was to pay off when Wright popped up at the back post to calmly take a touch before lifting the ball over the keeper for 2 - 2.