YFS
Peebles fought back to overcome a three goal deficit in the final half hour and leave Spartans stunned in a thrilling encounter at the top of the table at the Gyle.
In a game in which neither side had a natural goalkeeper, Spartans took an early lead through Thomas Walton and then added to it with strikes from Rory Singleton and Matthew Lyndon either side of half time to give them a firm grip on proceedings.
However, Peebles weren’t to lie down and found joy getting in behind the Spartans back four. The first goal from Brodie Mackenzie provided a platform to build on and lifted the visitors spirits - who would go on to turn the match on its head with a sensational comeback.
The away side enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening minutes but were caught out on the counter as Will Lancaster beat the offside trap and raced in on goal. Goalkeeper Ruaridh Smith was out fast to block but could only divert the initial strike into the path of Walton, who cooly tucked the ball into the empty net from close range.
More chances followed at either end: Lancaster dropped a shoulder to evade his man but ball into the middle was comfortably claimed by Smith. Robbie Smellie then drifted in from the left flank but his right footed effort was beaten away by Matthew Lydon and then cleared to safety.
Scorer would soon turn provider as Walton teed up the onrushing Singleton. The midfielder swept home a clean right footed strike from the edge of the area to double the lead as the ball nestled into the bottom left corner.
A brilliant last-ditch challenge denied Peebles a route back into the game before Lancaster chased down and latched onto a long ball over the top with goalkeeper, Smith, caught in no mans land. Luckily from his point of view Jack Murphy was back and timed a tackle to perfection before the lively forward could pull the trigger.
Spartans may feel they could’ve had more - Front pairing Walton and Lancaster both failed to convert from a whipped cross from the right wing and Toby Jamieson had a shot blocked that eventually trickled through to the goalkeeper as the home side went into the break two up.