Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 1:00pm

Battling 2nd half display earns victory for Yoker

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Carluke Rangers 1 Yoker Athletic 2

YOKER got 2010 off to a good start with a victory away from home against a difficult Carluke side.

It was the Whe-Ho's first game since November 28, last year, when a James McLernon double saw off Greenock at Holm Park.

Whe-Ho boss John Brogan had midfielder Gary Bissland missing with a calf injury for the trip.

The visitors seemed to suffer a little from a lack of match practice in the early exchanges, but McLernon and strike partner James Strain should both have done better with chances that came their way.

With Whe-Ho keeper Ross Clark a virtual spectator early on the home side stole the lead against the run of play after some slack defending by the visiting backline.

Despite their superiority the Whe-Ho went in at the break a goal down.

An irate Brogan urged his team to do things quicker and sharper after the interval and his charges rewarded him with a good second-half performance. McLernon was now looking lively for the Whe-Ho, but it was his team mate Mark McManus who pulled the Whe-Ho level early in the second half when his cross-cum-shot looped over the home keeper and sneaked in at the back post.

This was just the little piece of luck that the visitors needed.

The match was now much livelier as both teams sought a winner, and it came on the hour mark when Schoneville sidestepped his marker in the box and fired the ball low past the Carluke keeper to put his side in front.

Both sides had chances as the game went on with substitute Jamie Carson and McLernon both going close for the Whe-Ho, whilst Clark made a couple of decent stops to keep out the home side.

Brogan was happy his side took all three points given they looked a little rusty.

The victory takes Brogan's side within a point of this week's visitors Shettleston at the top of the table and with a game in hand.

Brogan is hopeful that Bissland will be available for what is easily the Whe-Ho's biggest game of the season to date.

The VB Contracts man of the match was James McLernon.

Saturday's match against Shettleston at Holm Park kicks off at 1.45pm, should the weather cause for any doubt on the match then supporters are advised to check www.yokerathletic.com for updates.

Yoker: Clark, Vickers, Dempsey, Schoneville, McKellar, Marshall, Smith, McManus, Hannaway, McLernon, Strain. Subs Used: Carson, G McCreadie, D McCreadie. Not Used: King, Bain.