An Alan McCrum-inspired Lanark United cruised to a 5-2 victory over Cambuslang Rangers on Saturday,

However, this somewhat emphatic scoreline glosses over an astonishing Somervell Park finale sparked by the second-half dismissal of Wee Gers midfielder Ryan Mackay for stamping on McCrum as he lay grounded following a sliding tackle challenge.

At that point the score was 2-1 in the home team’s favour - ironically Mackay had five minutes earlier fired his side in front when allowed to run onto a Chris Faulds pass - despite looking two yards offside before expertly rounding goalkeeper Michael Duke to fire low into an empty net.

Footballers don’t always help themselves - or their team-mates - and Mackay’s self-inflicted pain was all the more difficult to comprehend because any chance of Cambuslang holding out for the three points on offer disappeared on the back of his saint-turned-sinner moment.

Lanark drew confidence from the depleted state of their hosts and nobody thrived on the extra space more than the strong running McCrum, who was ably backed up by the jet-paced impact of Stuart Mitchell coming off the substitutes bench.

Mackay was barely inside the pavilion before the scoreline read 2-2 after McCrum went clear down the right flank and fired over a low driven cross that Bryan Caldwell expertly directed beyond Lang goalkeeper Daryll Jones .

Cambuslang’s backline held firm for another 12 minutes until McCrumwas felled in another rampaging run forward.

That led to him firing over a free kick that Cammy Lawson headed strongly into the net for 3-2.

A 90th-minute tap-in for burly Ryan Hutchison after set-up play from Mitchell was followed by the big striker blasting home from 22 yards deep into injury-time to set the seal on a terrific comeback win for Lanark .

Man-of-the-match McCrum said: "I was working today and only arrived ten minutes before kick-off time so it was pleasing to play a part in an overall decent performance.

“The gaffer waiting for me only serves to prove I made the right decision to turn down signing opportunities with Super Premier clubs during the close season.

“He has us playing good football and Lanark are a club on the up.”

One-time Shott Bon Accord signing McCrum also played provider in his side’s opening goal with just five minutes on the clock as his pass inside set up Caldwell to smash a low left-footer past Jones from fully 22 yards.

That 1-0 lead was cancelled out approaching half-time by a Bob Davidson converted penalty kick awarded when Faulds was tripped by Lanark stopper David Collins.

However, visiting boss John Brogan felt his players had deserved better for their first half efforts.

He said: “The sending-off is a turning point and no mistake, however nobody watching on from the terracings would argue that the better team won on the day.

“Our guys showed a great determination and we had top notch performers other than McCrum and Speedy (Mitchell), who admittedly were good on the eye and had supporters on their feet every time they were on the ball.

“ We left it late in scoring four goals in the closing half hour but truth is we should have put the game out of sight in the opening 45 minutes but for missing chance after chance on top of the woodwork keeping out a sensational McCrum strike that would have been contender for goal of the season.”

Wee Gers boss Paul McColl was not too down-hearted over the poverty of his side’s late defensive collapse.

He said: “Ryan’s sending-off smashed our momentum at a time when we were holding the upper hand and his aberration will be dealt with behind dressing room doors.

“At 3-2 down we have gone for broke to level matters and have come agonisingly close given Paul McLaughlin’s header has been cleared off the line.

“But pushing players forward leaves gaps that Lanark have capitalised on to good effect even though 5-2 is not a scoreline that reflects on the game .”

The tightness atop the Central Second Division stakes is aptly summed up by Cambuslang slipping from top spot to fourth in the table following their defeat while Lanark‘s reward is to move atop the pile on goal difference ahead of Junior newcomers Gartcairn for whom Chris Dolan (pen) , Scott Murphy (2) and Mark Brown goals brought about a 4-1 defeat of Port Glasgow in a game of four sending offs...three for the Port.

And up into third place in the standings following a hard fought victory over Royal Albert are much improved East Kilbride Thistle whose battling back from 0-1 and 1-2 down saw the Jags eventually win 4-3 with Alan McFadden(2) , Mark Bishop and Craig Miles on target.

Forth Wanderers stayed in touch with the leading quartet after Kris Dick, Taylor Scott and Barry McGeechan counters ensured a 3-1 triumph over Ashfield whose consolation score was netted by Chris Moulangou.

And the Paul Lovering steered Benburb can claim to be best of the rest following a 4-1 win at home to a Glasgow Perthshire side that scored first through J.P.Craig but had no answer in the face of Gary Duggan(2),Ryan Livingston and Kieran Blackwood scores for the Chookey Hens.

Biggest shock of the day in West Region circles came at Guys Meadow where Kevin Watt and Reece Pearson were on the mark as Rob Roy ran out 2-0 winners against reigning Super Premier champions Auchinleck Talbot.

Elsewhere , Hurlford United are the new frontrunners after Ryan Borris and Ross Robertson helped the Ayrshirmen overcome erstwhile league leaders Arthurlie by a 2-0 scorline and there were notable first league wins chalked up by ambitious Glasgow pair Petershill and Pollok.

Keiran Daw , Tony Stevenston and Jamie Brough were the marksmen as the Peasy won 3-1 at home to Shettleston while Pollok hitman Davie Winters netted both his side’s goals inside the opening 12 minutes ,paving the way for a 2-1 Newlandsfield success against previously unbeaten Kilbirnie Ladeside .

An own goal and Nikky Little (pen) clinched a 2-0 win for Clydebank over Shotts Bon Accord and eased the Bankies into Super First Division top spot ahead of Kilsyth Rangers who continued their own 100% ways thanks to Joe Barclay, Ross Hepburn and Nikky Prentice netting in a 3-2 victory away to Kilwinning Rangers.