SCOTT Tindle overcame a ‘start malfunction’ after slipping badly to take the crown as winner of the 154th New Year Sprint at Musselburgh Racecourse on Sunday.

And by doing do, he emulated his brother Cameron’s 2015 achievement, making them only the second pair of brothers to win the prestigious race.

Running off 6.5m, Tweed Leader Jed Track athlete Tindle, who was narrowly defeated by West Linton’s Stacey Downie in the 153rd race which was held in July, finished second in his heat at Meadowbank on Friday and won his cross-tie race ahead of the final.

Thankfully, the rain stayed off, although there was a slight headway for most of the cross-ties which turned into a cross wind for the final.

Bearing down on Tindle at the finish was 16-year-old Gkontouin Imante of Shettleston Harriers, who was beaten by a matter of inches and timed at 12.04s to Tindle’s 12.03s.

Euan Urquhart, of VP-Glasgow, who was fastest up in the heats, was two yards back in third place.

Double winner Greg Kelly, of East Kilbride, claimed fourth place – and his fourth final placing – just behind Urquhart.

Iain McEwan, of Whitemoss AC, finished in fifth place; Murray Blair, of Lasswade, was sixth; Tindle’s team mate Gordon Armstrong was seventh; and Sean O’Hara, of Morpeth, was eighth.

After picking up the £3,500 prize and the Eric Liddle Crystal Trophy, Tindle said: “It was so close but I just managed to hold on at the line.

“It was as close today as it was when I finished second in July but luckily I came out on the right side this time.

“It’s a challenge for me on the [synthetic] track but I was confident on the grass. I’ve raced all season on grass at the Highland Games and I’ve trained very hard.

“To win this after my brother won it eight years ago is amazing.”