BARNTON were the victims, then the beneficiaries, of two late strikes last week.

They lost to a 96th minute Knutsford goal at home on Wednesday, then inflicted a last minute winner on Grove United.

Knutsford beat Mark Emmerson's side for the third consecutive time, going ahead through a spectacular long range strike by Paul Hartley.

Les Miranda hooked in an 82nd minute equalizer at a time when Barnton looked the more likely to go and win.

However, Alan Brown put paid to this as he raced through deep into injury time to slip the ball past Derrick Fortune.

On Saturday, Barnton struggled to regain their fluency at Grove, and had to wait until the 65th minute to go in front.

Dave Murray was the scorer, latching on to Adrian Brodigan's free-kick and hitting the back of the net from 15 yards.

Another goal of the season contender pegged Barnton back on 83 minutes as Grove's Paul Cunningham hit an angled drive which flew past Fortune into the far corner of the net.

Majic Starchievski hit the post three minutes later, but the winner eventually arrived on 90 minutes as another Brodigan free-kick was cleared back to him and he crossed for Paul Nelson to nod in the winner.

After the home fixture with Linotype last night (Tuesday), Barnton are again playing Grove United at Townfield Lane this Saturday (3pm).

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