Labour wins penalty shoot out against Tories 3-2

LABOUR defeated the Conservatives by three goals to two in a dramatic penalty shoot out to highlight the campaign of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) sufferer Gordon Aikman.

Mr Aikman, 30, who has the terminal illness and who has been campaigning to improve the care of MND patients, refereed the match at the Spartans Community Football Academy in Edinburgh.

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, the party’s health spokeswoman Jenny Marra, Scottish Conservative finance spokesperson Gavin Brown and the party’s energy spokesman Murdo Fraser, were among the politicians taking part in the “Show MND the Red Card” event

Assistant General Secretary of Community the Trade Union, John Park - a former Labour MSP - pulled off two solid saves to give the Labour team the upper hand.

However, Scottish Labour leader Mr Murphy scored to seal victory for the Labour team in the closely fought match.

Mr Murphy said: “Today isn’t really about Labour versus Conservative; it’s about the UK versus MND. To win that match we need to fund research and unite across politics to do whatever we can to fight this terrible disease. “This issue goes beyond politics and deserves everyone’s commitment and support.”