It’s seven up as Colts despatch Dalbeattie Star

Colts also maintained their undefeated record away from home with their six games on their travels yielding five wins and just one draw.

After three clean sheets in their last four games, the visitors were forced into a defensive change with Sam George suspended following his dismissal against East Kilbride. On loan Celtic stopper Ross Doohan stepped in to make his full debut for the Colts between the sticks.

Stephen O’Neill had a header saved and Andy Selkirk declined a couple of opportunities to pull the trigger from just outside the box as Colts pushed forward before the hosts stepped up the pressure for a 10-minute spell.

Ross Ballantyne was booked for a foul on a Dalbeattie attacker who escaped punishment for his retaliation.

Jamie Broadfoot also picked up a yellow card before Colts’ last chance of a scrappy first half was fired high and wide by Richard Kirwan.

In the second half the men in yellow seemed more intent on getting efforts on target and they eventually made the breakthrough.

Broadfoot delivered a corner to the back post where Kirwan met it, heading back across goal for top scorer O’Neill to plant his header beyond the keeper and man on the post from four yards.

The game was made safe with just over 15 minutes to go when Selkirk released Alex Tilley down the right and he cut the ball back to O’Neill who despatched from six yards with a lovely flick through his legs.

Sean Brown nearly added a third from a Broadfoot corner, his header bringing out a fantastic save from the Dalbeattie ‘keeper.

Kirwan had a couple of attempts blocked by the home defence before he was replaced by Lee Foggin who came on to make his debut for the club.

The young full-back nearly provided a third as he linked with Broadfoot to deliver a wonderful ball from the left, O’Neill just unable to convert for his hat-trick at the back post.