■ Salvesen captain, Tom Holligan, sweeps his side's third and winning goal home with five minutes remaining

After being outplayed by Tynecastle Colts in the opening 40 minutes, Salvesen '94, swept forward in the second half to edge this thrilling Division 1 match at sunny Danderhall. Driven on by captain Tom Holligan down the left hand side the home team scored two late goals as Tynecastle wilted in the early autumn heat.

The large and noisy Tynecastle Colts support will be shaking their heads in disbelief after their favourites totally dominated the first half but somehow went in level at 1-1. A draw would have been just about fair over the full 80 minutes but it was Salvesen that were the stronger side in the final minutes and took the full 3 points.

The Danderhall pitch was blazed in sunshine and looked in superb condition for this match. A big support had also turned out for both sides no doubt looking forward to another close goalfeast similar to last season's cup tie which produced 13 goals in a 7-6 win for the then 2nd Division Tynecastle Colts.

It was the newly promoted side that took the early initiative with regular forays down the right wing by Hamish Hunter prompted by balls from behind by Brian Haston and from midfield from Braud Horan. At the back captain, Nico Milne, was commanding things and taking care of any Salvesen attempts to get close to the Tynecastle goal.

It was Horan that first went close with a thundering 25 yard shot that flew just inches over the Salvesen crossbar. The game was highly entertaining but chances were at a premium. However that all changed on 24 minutes when Colts took the lead.

Chris Black hit a vicious free-kick from well outside the box. The ball was touched onto the bar by Salvesen keeper, Jackson Bell, but the rebound fell into the path of Ryan Ross who gladly hit it home from 5 yards into the left hand corner of the net.

It was a lead that was thoroughly deserved for Tynecastle as they were noisily driven on by the away touchline. And although this did get slightly out of hand on a few occasions it did make for an excellent atmosphere at the self-contained Danderhall pitch.

Salvesen eventually found their way into the Tynecastle box when the excellent Craig Newall skipped past 3 challenges before attempting to slide the ball past the outrushing Fraser Smith. But the Tynecastle stopper used his legs and body well to pull off a terrific point blank save.

On 34 minutes, Braud Horan was cleverly put through by Blair Spowart but Jackson Bell reacted well and cleared towards the left touchline. The ball only fell to Chris Black who tried an audacious first time shot that only just drifted wide.

The play was almost entirely towards the Salvesen goal but out of the blue the home side scored an equaliser 3 minutes before half time. Jamie Lawson collected the ball wide out on the right. There didn't look like there was any danger when he crossed towards the front post but the ball flew high and looped over Fraser Smith's outstretched arms and into the net.

Tynecastle were shell-shocked to find themselves level going into the break in a half that should have seen their dominance more clearly reflected in the scoreline.

Half Time 1-1

The away side started the second half like they ended the first. Heading towards the Salvesen goal. And Braud Horan had an opportunity to put them back ahead when he fizzed a terrific shot from fully 35 yards that flew past the right hand post.

But Salvesen appeared more determined this half and on 43 minutes they produced a wonderful move that deserved a goal but ended up supplying the save of the match. Tom Holligan drove up the left wing before firing an excellent cross which was touched goalwards by Marcus Brown. The ball was heading towards the roof of the net but Fraser Smith twisted his body and clawed the ball away from what looked like a certain goal.

Holligan had a shot himself moments later that just drifted wide as Salvesen came more and more into this game. Craig Newall and Jack Beaumont were pulling the strings now in midfield and the back four looked much more assured.

But on 53 minutes they went behind again when wee Hamish Hunter scored a wonderfully composed goal. The right winger found himself in a more central position and he drove into the left of the box before slotting the ball into the opposite corner to ignite loud celebrations on the Tynecastle side of the pitch.

Salvesen were behind again but they were a more threatening side in the second half and you still felt this game could go either way. Finlay Matthews had a fantastic opportunity to put his side level on 59 minutes when Tom Holligan again drove down the left before cutting the ball back to Matthews. But he could only shoot into the grateful arms of Fraser Smith from 10 yards.

Matthews made amends as the game wound down to its exciting finale however. And how. Tom Holligan was the supplier as he curled a corner from the left onto the head of the Salvesen number 7 and he powered a header into the roof of the Tynecastle net to make it 2-2.

Nine minutes to go and it was anyone's game. Salvesen had the momentum however and on 75 minutes they scored what was to prove the winning goal. Fittingly it was captain Tom Holligan who wrapped up the points for the home side. The big lad had an excellent second half and he was perfectly positioned to slam a loose ball home at the second attempt from the centre of the box.

The final chance of this exciting match fell to Salvesen when Craig Newall again drove deep into the Tynecastle box, skipped around Fraser Smith but could only slide his ball into the side netting from a very acute angle.