Identifying the threat is the easy part as Maryhill discovered to their cost in going down 3-2 in an eventful city derby clash against Petershill on Saturday.

Advance warnings had been made over the recent outstanding form being shown by Peasy hitman Chris Hall, who had struck seven goals in five outings ahead of the Lochburn Park contest.

But Maryhill could do nothing to prevent the 26-year-old wreaking havoc and having a say in all the Springburn side’s goals.

Chrissy’s vision and decision making qualities were apparent as early as the fourth minute when he undid the home team defence by getting on to the end of a back post Stewart McCann cross to cleverly turn the ball back into the path of striking team-mate Jason Hardie who smashed an unsavable shot past helpless Maryhill goalkeeper Jack Baker.

The visitors were looking capable of doubling their advantage at this stage.

However, they were rocked on the half-hour mark when Maryhill levelled matters with a goal out of nothing.

Full-back Kevin Kelly threaded a pass into the feet of Stirling Albion loan signing Alex Docherty and he was allowed to turn unchallenged and fire home a low shot for 1-1.

Peasy shotstopper Mikey White then saved his side’s bacon with an excellent block to foil home team midfielder Kieran Furey when put clean through on goal.

While at the other end Hall set up another chance for Hardie only for his parting shot to be deflected away by Baker’s feet.

Petershill were dominating territorially as the first half drew to a close and a dramatic finale ensued after lively midfielder Liam Finnigan was brought down as he skipped past Maryhill defender Joe Beckley inside the area to earn a penalty kick award.

Chris Wilson’s well struck effort from the spot was brilliantly parried by the diving Baker.

But the big Liverpudlian appeared to have a rush of blood to his head as he then scrambled to his feet and wildly kicked the ball behind his own goal when there was ample time and room to pick it up.

And the ultimate price was paid as the resulting flag kick eluded his grasp enabling Hall to head in from point blank range for a goal that whistler Chris McTiernan allowed to stand despite being besieged by Maryhill’s players furiously protesting that a foul had occurred when the ball was in the air.

Petershill had the better of the early second half exchanges, but the wind was taken from their sales by another Maryhill equaliser after a Furey shot was only half-stopped by White and the lurking Willie Wells was able to slot home from almost on the goal line.

At 2-2 the odds became stacked in the home team’s favour as Finnigan was harshly red-carded for what was a fairly innocuous sliding challenge.

But almost immediately referee McTiernan cancelled out this numerical advantage by doling out a second yellow card to Maryhill midfielder Gavin Stokes.

And this bodyblow was soon followed by another in the shape of a second penalty kick to Petershill for an Andy Banks challenge that sent the dangerous Hall crashing inside the box and this time Hardie assumed responsibility to net his second score of the game.

The 3-2 scoreline was to prevail until the final whistle that sounded some 30 seconds after Mr McTiernan somewhat over-fussily deemed Alex Docherty’s sliding challenge on Wilson to be worthy of another red card.

Maryhill team boss John Hughes was nevertheless able to speak highly of the match official afterwards.

He said:"I didn’t agree with all his decisions, but what is appreciated is him taking time to explain his reasons in private and I just wish more Referees would follow his example.

“As for the game itself, I felt we battled our corner with a lot of energy and gave this very good Petershill side a run for their money over the 90 minutes.

“It speaks volumes for how we were troubling the Peasy when two top footballing men like Willie Patterson and Paul Kelly were screaming from the dugout for their players to kick the ball into the corners over the closing stages.”

Relieved to see the conclusion of the head to head between the Glasgow rivals was seasoned Peasy No.2 Kelly whose son Kevin had been one of Maryhill’s top performers playing at left-back.

Paul said: "I told him beforehand that everyone would come away happy if he got man of the match and Petershill won the game but Chrissy Hall was head and shoulders above everyone.

“It was difficult for Kevin as well and I was worried at 3-2 when Maryhill won a free kick just outside our box because he’s scored a few in his career, but thankfully Mikey White made sure this wasn’t one of those times.

“I’m pleased that he played well but not half as much as I am that Petershill picked up three points despite not playing anywhere near our best on what was a very difficult playing surface for both teams.

“Being able to show a bit of mental toughness to grind out a fully deserved win is encouraging and I have no hesitation in saying those qualities will be needed again before this season is over.”

Petershill’s win was all the more vital after word came through of wins for Super First Division leading pair Kilsyth Rangers and Shettleston.

Franny Kelly(2) and Nikky Prentice netted in Kilsyth’s 3-0 defeat of Blantyre Vics while Shettleston midfielder Jordan Morton scored the only goal of the game away to Irvine Vics.

Clydebank returned to winning ways with Peter McGill , Calum Gow (2) Mark Burbridge and Alan Vezza on target in a 5-1 hammering of Cumbernauld United but there was surprise reverse at Hamilton Park where Irvine Meadow lost 3-2 to ten man Girvan who staged a second half comeback despite having goalkeeper Scott Johnstone sent off for conceding the spot kick which put Medda 2-1 ahead .

Renfrew continued to clamber away from the foot of the table following a 1-1 draw at home to Rutherglen Glencairn but Shotts Bon Accord’s dismal run continued after yielding up a 3-2 lead against Yoker Athletic for whom Ross Cameron, Reece McGillion and Greg Maitland bagged goals over the closing stages to seal a 5-3 Holm Park triumph.

WEEKEND RESULTS: Scottish Junior Cup.Third Round Replays.

Culter 1 East Kilbride Thistle 3, Bonnyrigg Rose 4 Thorniewood Utd 0, Greenock 3 Stonehaven 2.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Arthurlie 0 Rob Roy 2, Auchinleck Talbot 0 Kilbirnie Ladeside 1, Hurlford Utd 0 Largs Thistle 2, Cumnock 3 Pollok 1, Kilwinning Rangers 3 Beith 1, Troon 0 Glenafton 1.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Yoker Athletic 5 Shotts Bon Accord 3, Maryhill 2 Petershill 3, Irvine Vics 0 Shettleston 1, Kilsyth Rangers 3 Blantyre Vics 0, Cumbernauld Utd 1 Clydebank 5, Girvan 3 Irvine Meadow 2, Renfrew 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 1. McBookie.com Central First Division

Lesmahagow 1 Wishaw 4, Neilston 4 Bellshill Athletic 2, Benburb 1 Cambuslang Rangers 9, St Roch's 2 Forth Wanderers 3, Johnstone Burgh 0 Vale of Clyde 2, Larkhall Thistle 2 Rossvale 1.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Ashfield 1 Port Glasgow 2, Gartcairn 1 Royal Albert 2, Glasgow Perthshire.3 Lanark Utd 1, Dunipace 1 St Anthony's 0.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Maybole 1 Kello Rovers 2, Muirkirk 0 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 4, Lugar Boswell 1 Whitletts Vics 4, Annbank Utd 2 Craigmark 1, Darvel 1 Dalry Thistle 0.