Fort lose out at Huntly
FORT William could not breach Huntly’s watertight defence as they slipped to a 2-0 Highland League defeat at Christie Park on Saturday.
This was the Black and Golds' fourth successive clean sheet and it takes them into sixth position, while Fort remain just one place ahead of bottom club Strathspey Thistle.
Russell Guild opened the scoring for Huntly on 20 minutes after an assist from David Booth.
Booth killed Fort off when he netted from the spot after Andrzej-Salwomir Kleczkowski went down under a challenge from Andy Martin.
In the closing moments, Martin was red-carded for a second bookable offence and Fort have the mammoth task of trying to halt runaway leaders Forres Mechanics at Claggan Park this weekend.
Nairn County eased to a 2-0 win at Strathspey Thistle on Saturday to remain second in the table.
The Jags, ravaged by injury, will take heart from their performance against Les Fridge’s side, but this was a valuable three points for Nairn after a mini-slide in recent weeks.
Conor Gethins bagged his 14 goal of the season on 25 minutes when he just done enough to beat third-choice Latvian keeper Andis Karkalins with a chipped shot after a through ball from Robbie Duncanson.
Ten minutes later, Gregg Main doubled the visitors’ lead when he netted from a Duncanson delivery.
Nairn could have been 3-0 ahead by the break, but Gethins saw his penalty saved by Karkalins after he was brought down in the box by Nick Mochans.
Forres Mechanics are still eight points clear at the top after their 3-1 win against mid-table Deveronvale at Mosset Park.
Kyle Scott, Nathan Sharp and Kevin Duguid were on target for the Can Cans after Vale edged ahead through Grant Noble.
Cove Rangers beat champions Buckie Thistle 3-0 at Allan Park to leave the Jags 14 points behind Forres and, even at this stage of the season, they look like long shots to retain their crown. Cove, though, moved into third spot, eight points off the top.
Lossiemouth continue to surprise and they stayed in fourth position thanks to their 2-1 win against visitors Inverurie Locos.
A late flurry of goals at Grant Street saw Clach lose a lead to go to down 2-1 against Wick Academy.
The Lilywhites seemed bang on course for victory when Mark Dougal scored with just 11 minutes to go.
However, Davie Kirkwood’s Wick struck back with Craig Shearer’s header and Stevie Cunningham’s stoppage time winner leaving Clach floored.
Fraserburgh are fifth after their fine 2-1 win at Keith, while Rothes were 2-1 home victors against Turriff United and Steve Paterson’s Formartine United strolled to a 4-1 win against Brora Rangers.
