Mary Proves Quite Contrary

Looking at the Bens' position prior to today's match most observers reckoned a victory in each of their remaining home games is a must if they are to feature in the promotion places this season. After failing to negotiate the first hurdle of Maryhill at Tinto Park this afternoon, new calculations will have to be made if the desired outcome is to be achieved.
After the sides entertaining 2-2 draw a few weeks ago at Lochburn, today's match was a more scrappy affair. Bens fans were pleased to see Max Asante who'd snatched the late equaliser in February's game installed in the forward line from the start and he produced a lively performance.
A lack of liveliness in the Bens' defence was the bigger talking point on 30 minutes when a cross from the right was met by the Maryhill striker, who'd nipped between two defenders, and he steered his header past Quinn in the Bens' goal.
The visitors followed this up ten minutes later with a free-kick from their own half which found their forward on the edge of the area; he controlled on his chest, swivelled and volleyed off the base of Quinn's right post much to the keeper's relief.
Maryhill took their advantage into the interval but saw it wiped out 7 minutes into the second half when Max Asante headed Bens level.
The visitors had the advantage of attacking the pavilion end and didn't take long to restore their lead. Slack Bens marking allowed a pass to find the 'Hill centre on the penalty spot and he had time to slot the second past Quinn.
Bens were having a better time of it in the forward areas and looked like having the equaliser on 80 minutes. A free-kick for a late tackle on the right corner of the penalty area was flighted to Asante, who controlled and shot in one movement only for the Maryhill keeper to make a brilliant one-handed save onto his post- the rebound fell to a Bens striker but he nodded just past the post.
Two minutes later a good Bens move saw the ball laid into Carroll's path and he saw his dipping shot palmed past by the Maryhill keeper.
With time running out a long diagonal ball was played over Asante and he managed to hook it back with his left foot but his effort flashed by the post.
The final whistle concluded Bens' second home defeat on the trot and a period of stagnation in mid-table. The tightness of the league sees Maryhill's victory move them into the same area in the middle of the table. Both sides will have a part in determining the promoted sides but must feel at this stage their names won't be amongst the final three.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Wright, Smith, McInnes, Carroll, Hepburn, Lovering, Asante, Waddell, Mackenzie.