THERE are many threads stitched deep into the story of this season’s Central First Division championship race.

And the weekend top-of-the-table clash between title contenders Renfrew and Wishaw didn’t disappoint after long-time tabletoppers Frew snatched a dramatic 92nd minute equaliser to earn a share of the spoils that had looked to be beyond at New Western Park.

Renfrew kept their fate in their own hands and are assured of promotion – if not the title itself – assuming they win their two remaining fixtures against Rossvale (tonight) and St Rochs (Wednesday).

Achieving these twin aims will undoubtedly necessitate Davie Gordon & Co serving up a better display than Saturday particularly during an opening 45 minutes dominated by the Lanarkshire outfit.

A netbound Alain Kinney shot saved low down by visiting goalkeeper Sandy Thomson and the normally prolific Chris Zok spurning a clear goalscoring opportunity were Renfrew's only attacking responses. Wishaw posed a constant threat through the direct running of wingers Michael Collinder and Dean Kindland on top of striker Ross McGeachie’s ability to win more than his fair share of the aerial exchanges.

There were numerous near things and they probably deserved more than the 1-0 lead earned on the stroke of half time by Dan Kindlan applying the faintest touch to a driven Collinder cross to send the ball spiralling into the far corner of the net beyond Frew keeper Dale Burgess.

Wishaw manager Chris McGroarty said afterwards: "We were excellent first half but I warned the players to expect Renfrew to throw everything at them in trying to get back on level terms and that’s exactly how things panned out.

“But other than a few close range blocks from Sandy, I thought we stayed defensively sound with Barry Eley and Mark Daley outstanding and were going to see the game out right up until their player got the break of the ball from the injury-time scramble inside our penalty box which came about from a controversial free kick award.

“It’s a blow to lose a goal so late in the day but the positives are that playing to the same level will serve us well in our remaining games.”

Both teams and sets of supporters had grown steadily infuriated by the refereeing decisions of whistler Tony Fullarton who topped his list of blunders by bringing the game back when Renfrew had taken a quick free kick to step out the mandatory 10 yards … even though Wishaw had not put up a defensive wall.

And his becoming `card happy` after the break brought yellow cards for home team quartet Gordon , Kinney , Zok and Anton Heffron which culminated in the 87th minute dismissal of Frew skipper Gordon when his scything tackle on Dan Kindlan brought a deserved second yellow. All this before Jamie Benton lashed an unsaveable shot high into the net to make the score 1-1.

Relieved Renfrew co-manager Colin Clark said: “Disco’s sending off looked to be the death of us but these players don’t lack for character or fighting spirit and they got their reward for continuing to hammer at Wishaw’s door with Jamie’s goal. All told a draw was probably a fair result but now things are even tighter at the top of the tree.”

Clarky was referring to word coming through that fourth placed Rossvale had boosted their title hopes by recovering from going 1-0 down to a Justin Begg score for Maryhill to win 2-1 at Lochburn Park through Jamie Hunter and Sean Doherty goals.

In other First Division games, Baboucarr Mussa (2) TJ McLuskey and Danny Irvine had third top St Rochs looking home and dry when 4-1 ahead at home to Larkhall Thistle however the Jags came storming back with Ryan Innes, Davie Reid and Graham Gracie counters to earn a 4-4 draw.

Johnstone Burgh had Paul Sweeney and Jason Hardie on target in the 2-1 defeat of St Anthonys for whom Billy Stevenson netted while Neilston boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with Robbie Cameron (3) and Stevie Dymock goals in a 4-0 triumph over fellow basement battlers Vale of Clyde.

In the Second Division stakes, Forth Wanderers running out 2-1 winners over East Kilbride Thistle thanks to Willie McLaren and a 90th minute Jason Corbett score clinched promotion for Jamie McKenzie’s men who will be crowned champions with a victory at home to Lanark United on Wednesday night.