East Kilbride boss Mick Kennedy says his side reached a “significant turning point” in the Lowland League title race with a dramatic 3-2 win over rivals Tranent, but isn’t taking anything for granted.
But the K-Park boss says they have gained “significant distance” over their rivals, and it would take a real collapse now to prevent them from being crowned champions for the first time in five years.
Kilby fought back from 2-0 down and Kennedy sent off to beat their rivals, with goals from Joao Balde, Tiwi Daramola and Robert Thomson in an 11-minute spell from 77 to 88 minutes of the game.
Kallum Higginbotham and Robbie McIntyre had put Tranent in front at K-Park, with Kennedy taking exception to a ‘foul’ in the build-up to their 22nd-minute opener that led to ref Ross Birrell sending him to the stands.
The win left Kilby 13 points clear of second-placed Cumbernauld Colts, and 17 ahead of fourth-placed Tranent, who have two games in hand.
An away win last night, coupled with victories in those games in hand, could have cut East Kilbride’s lead to five points, but Kennedy is delighted they came through the test.
“I honestly felt whoever came out of that game with three points would be in a strong position,” said Kennedy.
“Even though we would still have had a gap over Tranent, I just felt it would be a significant turning point for either of us.
“I’m just delighted to get the three points, and the gap is now 17. Even though Tranent have a couple of games in hand, it’s quite a significant distance, now.
“I certainly don’t think it’s over, but we’re in a really strong position.
“It looks like from our last nine games we’d probably need to lose five of them, give or take, so it would need to be a collapse at this time of the
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