SUCH was the cleanness of the strike, it’s said Zinedine Zidane spent his weekend watching clips of Terry Hewitt’s volley in a bid to perfect his technique.

The big centre back has built a reputation in the Wee County for his industrial, no-nonsense defending, less so his prowess in front of goal.

So when he let go with his weaker left foot and found the roof of the net in the side’s vital 3-2 win at Haddington Athletic, he was as surprised as anyone to have opened the scoring.

“It was a great goal and I had actually scored a similar one against Easthouse Lily the week before,” the 30-year-old told Advertiser Sport. “But that was wrongly ruled out.

“I don’t score many and should actually have got another one but hit the bar with a header.

“I’m actually right footed, so was shocked to hit it so cleanly with the left.

“It was great to score the goal, even although I would rather stop the other team scoring at the other end.

“I’ve joked to Davie Cross that I’ve got my sights set on top goal scoring defender now, so will be taking all the penalties!”

Hewitt’s influence on the game was keenly felt at both ends of the pitch as the defender was later sent off for a second yellow.

But his volley had long sent the Reds on their way to a vital three points with gaffer Iain Diack netting his second goal in as many weeks and Ross Crawford continuing his fine scoring form to seal the deal.

And Hewitt was keen to thank his teammates for withstanding a late flurry from the hosts in his absence.

He continued: “The team dug in after I got sent off and left the boys down to 10 men for the last 20 minutes.

“I hold my hands up and on the second booking I kicked the ball and the man and made a mistake.

“The boys dug in and it was a massive three points and it was a tough win in the heat and they showed plenty of character to secure the win.”

Sauchie currently sit sixth in the league and it looks like fifth is out of reach. They can catch Crossgates Primrose on points, but would have to overturn a vastly superior goal difference in the final day of the season at Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale.

League action ends next week before they return to the King Cup and host Newtongrange Star in the quarter finals.

Hewitt said: “We just want the season to continue to go and this is probably the first time the season could finish before May since I’ve started playing.

“We can’t worry about anyone else and know we blew it a wee bit with the Dunipace game but the boys have picked themselves up.”