POLLOK boss Tony McInally has slammed the “sickening” challenge that has left Liam Rowan with a hairline fracture of the skull, broken nose, double concussion and stitches in his mouth.

An aerial joust with Rob Roy centre-back Danny Boyle in Monday night’s 1-1 draw at Newlandsfield led to the 22-year-old midfielder spending Monday night and Tuesday in hospital.

Although McInally said there was no intent or malice by Boyle, he was still scathing of the dangerous and ill-advised attempt to win the ball which may have ended Rowan’s season.

“Danny is a big, honest type and not an over-aggressive centre-half like those of days of old but with hindsight I’m pretty sure he won’t be proud of his challenge which was late and more than a tad reckless,” McInally said.

“He has come from fully 10 yards and thrown himself at the ball so Liam was always going to come off worst having to leap from a standing jump position.

“Danny has claimed there was a clash of heads while the referee from only a few yards away has shown him a red card for an elbowing offence. I’m not going to get dragged into the controversy as my only concern is for the fut-ure well-being of a brilliant young man and great professional.”

McInally said Boyle had telephoned Lok assistant boss Murdie McKinnon to apologise.

“Fair play to Danny for making the gesture, which knowing him, is sure to be heartfelt, and the Rob Roy manager Stewart Maxwell has also to be applauded for likewise getting in touch to offer his apologies and well wishes to Liam, but I was still extremely disappointed at the behaviour of a number of Rob Roy people on Monday night.

“In all my days in Junior football I have never felt as appalled as I did on hearing their shouts accusing Liam of play acting to get their player sent off, even when the lad was being stretchered away wearing a precautionary neck brace.”

Boyle, 27, said the incident was accidental, though he was apologetic and willing to accept a large slice of the blame.

“I’ve looked at the video highlights and it was clearly a major misjudgment on my part to think the ball was there for winning.

“I’ve arrived late and with my eyes only on the ball and the result is a horrible clash of heads with Liam who has taken the full brunt of my momentum while I have escaped relatively scot-free with only a lump on my temple.

“It was enough to leave me slightly dazed at the time but I soon came to my senses when the referee called me aside and flashed a red card before stating he was sending me off for deliberate use of the elbow.

“That has never been my game as anyone who has played alongside me, or as an opp-onent, will testify so I totally refute this version of events and will be taking every possible step to try to clear my name.”

In Super Premier Division action last night, Glenafton leapfrogged Auchinleck Talbot into second with a battling 1-0 victory at Beechwood Park.

The result, that may yet prove crucial in terms of the title, was clinched by a first-half goal from Connor Lynas as well as a resolute defensive display after Ally Park received a red card and they were reduced to 10 men.

There were no lack of spills and thrills on the Super First Division stage where Rutherglen Glencairn went top following a stormy 3-1 victory away to relegation-threatened Maryhill in a clash that saw both sides reduced to 10 men following the second-half dismissals of Tony Fraser (Glencairn) and Clark Mathews (Maryhill).

Fraser Team and Jamie Hunter put the Glens 2-0 ahead only for a Jamie Docherty counter to halve the advantage until Jamie Hamilton added a decisive third goal for Willie Harvey’s men.

Erstwhile league leaders Kilsyth Rangers were knocked off their perch after being held to a 0-0 draw at Yoker Athletic while another of the title challengers, Shettleston, succumbed to a dramatic 3-2 Guys Meadow reverse against basement strugglers Cumberbnauld United.

Martin Welsh had the Town in front early in the second half only for United to gain parity with Scott McHaffie’s leveller. However, an 86th minute goal from centre-back Ross Dickson looked to have earned the Glasgow outfit a precious three points only for midfielder Scott Murphy to score two late goals.

LAST NIGHT’S RESULTS
McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot 0 Glenafton 1.
McBookie.com Super First Division: Blantyre Vics 0 Renfrew 0, Maryhill 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 3, Yoker Athletic 0 Kilsyth Rangers 0.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Larkhall Thistle 2 Thorniewood Utd 2, Forth Wanderers 1 Lesmahagow 1, St Rochs 1 Neilston 0.