ROSSVALE gaffer Gordon Moffat says he went through the whole gamut of emotions watching his side clinch the Central First Division title last Friday night.

The Bishopbriggs outfit’s 2-1 victory at home to Port Glasgow contained so many twists and turns that Moff likened it to watching a thriller.

Speaking last night he said: "We started very poorly – probably on account of what was at stake – and we were very nervy on the ball and it was no real surprise when Port Glasgow scored to go 1-0 ahead.

“The goal acted as a wake-up call and we held our own until the interval when a few harsh words got the desired effect and the guys came out to play much better and Kirk Forbes netted a deserved equaliser.

“With half an hour to play I was feeling pretty confident we could get the three points but Jamie Hunter was then red carded for a retaliatory gesture towards a Port player, leaving us a man down.

“Even then we were dominating possession before Kirk scored his second goal of the night to put us 2-1 up shortly before one of the Port players was sent off for a second yellow-card offence.

“My nerves were jangling as the clock ticked down and especially when the referee announced we would have four minutes added on time.

“Then Port Glasgow broke and Peter Bradley’s tackle floored their player inside the area for a stonewall penalty.

"Initially I wanted the ground to open and swallow me up but with Jamie Donnelly between the posts you always have a chance and his diving the right way possibly got the slightest touch to the ball and diverted it onto the post. It rebounded onto his shoulder and up in the air before being cleared away.

“It was just a fabulous moment and matched only by the final whistle.

“People might say we rode our luck and they are probably correct but there’s no denying Rossvale were the better team on the night or indeed that we fully deserve to be sitting top of the pile.

“There was talk of us being in a false position going into the second half of the season but with 11 games to play – nine of them away from home – we didn’t lose any and that is testimony to the wonderful character of our players.”

Next up for Rossvale is a Central League Cup last-eight clash this Saturday against a Glasgow Perthshire side they have bested in both league clashes this season.

But Moffat is taking nothing for granted. He said: “The Shire are a very experienced outfit who ran us close in both our earlier meetings so we will need to be at our best to stand any chance of getting through.

“And our task is all the more difficult with Jamie Hunter having picked up a three-game ban on top of Liam McGonigle being ruled out by suspension.

“But having the title in the bag means the pressure is now off and hopefully the guys can relax and play to their capabilities.”

Rossvale’s latest title success has set up an Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final clash away to Super First Division kingpins Petershill (at a date yet to be arranged.) while the other half of the draw has the winners of the preliminary tie between Royal Albert and Dalry Thistle awaiting the visit of Auchinleck Talbot or Beith.

Petershill, whose season is on hold until their Evening Times encounter, are looking for friendly opposition this Saturday (home or away).

PLAYING TOMORROW (Kick Offs 7.30PM): McBookie.com Central First Division. Thorniewood Utd v Forth Wanderers , Yoker Athletic v Shotts Bon Accord..McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.Saltcoats Vics v Ardeer Thistle. Ayrshire Cup.2nd Round.Girvan v Beith. Semi Final.Kilbirnie Ladeside v Largs Thistle.Central League Cup 3rd Round. Blantyre Vics v Rob Roy , Cumbernauld Utd v Shettleston..

SATURDAY 26th MAY 2018(Kick Offs 2PM): McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Rob Roy v Kilwinning Rangers.McBookie.com Super First Division. Kello Rovers v Larkhall Thistle v Troon, Maryhill v Darvel, Shettleston v Largs Thistle, Rutherglen Glencairn v Irvine Meadow.McBookie.com Central First Division. Forth Wanderers v East Kilbride Thistle , Thorniewood Utd v Lesmahagow, Wishaw v Neilston .McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Craigmark v Whitletts Vics. New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.3rd Round.Shotts Bon Accord v Beith. Central League Cup.Quarter Final.Rossvale v Glasgow Perthshire.

SUNDAY 27th MAY( Kick Off 4.10 PM) Scottish Junior Cup Final.Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford Utd (Rugby Park).