Cumbernauld all smiles after Yoker victory

Losing the first goal in the fourth minute and another before the break to trail 2-0 at the interval left the visiting fans with long faces.

But the improved performance in the second period secured a 5-2 win which sent the Cumbernauld support home happy.

United began strongly and a Stevie Mullen shot in the first minute hit the side netting.

But three minutes later slack United defence saw a Mark McManus cross headed past Barry Fraser by an unmarked Shaun Kelly.

The visitors tried to respond and Dale Clark tried his luck from 25 yards but his effort was too high.

Yoker always looked more likely to add to their lead and in the 40th minute they did just that when a Mark Maxwell corner was diverted past Fraser by John Harvey.

After the interval changes in the Cumbernauld team began to bear fruit and in the 65th minute Mullen, bearing in towards goal, was brought down by Yoker’s Jamie Carson.

Carson was red carded and Mullen scored with the the resultant penalty to reduce Yoker’s lead.

Four minutes later Yoker ’keeper Liam Campbell presented the visitors with an equalising goal when he managed to kick a clearance against Mullen and the ball ended in the net.

When Stewart Sharkey’s illegal lunge at United’s Scott Cummings saw the Yoker man join team-mate Carson for an early bath, reducing the locals to nine men, the opportunity was there for Cumbernauld to go all out for a win.

Mullen got his well deserved hat-trick in the 83rd minute when substitute Jordan McKechnie sent him away to steer the ball past Campbell.

Three minutes later another sub, Dom O’Halloran, met a McKechnie free-kick to send a fine header into the net.

United were rampant and with a minute left Mullen crossed for O’Halloran to head a superb goal and seal an amazing comeback

United have a free Saturday this week after getting a Scottish Junior Cup first round bye.