GRETNA FC 2008 have moved into eighth spot in the Lowland League following a terrific 1-0 away win against Broomhill last Saturday.
Sam Atkinson’s seventh minute penalty at the Dumbarton Stadium was the difference between the two sides.
And Gretna showed their mettle in the last half hour after Dean Brotherston was sent off.
Speaking after the victory, Gretna boss Vinnie Parker said: “I think we had to dig deep after the sending off, the character shown was outstanding and I think we fully deserved the win.
“In the last three games we’ve scored first in the first five-ten minutes. We started really brightly.
“Reece Paterson up top did really well pressing and running. And I thought Dean Brotherston was outstanding up until the sending off.
“It’s a tough place to come, it’s a very heavy pitch and you’re against a lively team. So we knew it was going to be difficult.
“I thought we matched them really well. I thought some of the chances we created in the first half was probably enough for us to put it to bed.
“That’s probably the only disappointing side of it. But overall our game management was exceptional.
“It’s been an outstanding performance and a well deserved three points.”
He added: “I thought it was important to start the year really positive. We’ve got a lot of big games coming up.
“We want to get as far away from the bottom of the table as possible. And now it’s all about keeping in the top ten.”
This weekend the Black and Whites host Stirling University at Raydale Park.
Gretna won the corresponding fixture 1-0 at Forthbank at the start of August.
Parker said: “It’s always a hard game. When we played each other at the start of the season we won 1-0 but it was really close.
“Their manager Chris Geddes is very experienced in the Lowland League. He’s always got really good teams and he sets them up really well.
“It’s going to be a really difficult game but it’s one we’re looking forward to.
“Hopefully we get another three points if we can apply ourselves properly.”
