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John Walker League Division B Saturday 23rd March 1985 Armadale Thistle 1 McComiskey 54mins Blackburn United 3 Aitken 20mins, Krendler (pen) 70mins, Temperley 85mins

Blackburn visited Volunteer Park at a time when Armadale were creating a lead at the top of Division B which would ultimately see them gain promotion to the top flight as league winners. However, with games in hand over the other promotion contenders, we approached the match looking to secure two points in a bid to mount a challenge for the remaining promotion spot. After an opening period in which both teams attempted to gain the upper hand in the vital midfield area, we went ahead on the twenty minute mark when right-back Stevie AITKEN strode forward from just inside the opposition half to crack a fierce drive beyond Stewart in the Armadale goal. Minutes later this narrow lead was almost increased but McCue came to the rescue for the Volunteer Park outfit, desperately clearing a fine Hugh Temperley shot off the line. Into the second half and, after some concerted Thistle pressure. McCOMISKEY pulled his team back into the game with a well worked equaliser. Soon afterwards however, McCue was sent-off after his second bookable offence and the 'Dale's hopes of a victory went with him. The ten man Armadale side battled on well but when MacDonald commited a rash tackle inside his own box, Rab KRENDLER tucked away the resulting penalty. With the one man advantage beginning to open up space for United, the home goal came under seige in the closing minutes and TEMPERLEY guided home a deserved third that sealed the points in a marvellous away victory that kept the side on course for a move upwards.