Late Clach winner sees off Lossie
CLACH’S fine form continued on Saturday as they defeated visitors Lossiemouth 3-2 in the Highland League – but they left it late to net three points.
Scott Graham has been in rampant form lately and he shot the Lilywhites in front after five minutes when he buried a shot past keeper Darren McConnachie after finding space in the penalty box.
Brian MacLeod crashed an effort off the woodwork for Clach, but Lossie levelled on 42 minutes when Kevin Grant steered a parried shot into the net after home keeper David Harrison got on to but could not grasp a Nikki Smith drive.
However, the Inverness side responded moments later to take a 2-1 interval lead. Alan Pollock’s corner was met by Colin Williamson, who powered an unstoppable header into the net.
Lossie battled back after the break though and Smith drilled a shot into the far corner of the net after controlling the ball 15 yards from goal.
The game seemed certain to finish all square until Graham cracked a fantastic shot beyond McConnachie to seal a dramatic winner in the final minute.
Nairn County remain third in the table, but they slid to a weekend 2-0 defeat at Fraserburgh in their sixth successive away fixture.
Paul MacLeod, Steven Mackay and Robbie Duncanson had first half chances for Les Fridge’s side, while Courtney Cooper swerved a shot just past the post for the Broch.
Fraserburgh nudged ahead on the hour mark when Mark Cowie rounded keeper Callum Donaldson to score after latching on to a long pass from Paul Leask.
The killer second goal came on 76 minutes when sub Steven Davidson’s powerful header from a Graham Johnston delivery flew into the net past Donaldson.
Cove Rangers cut the gap at the top to just four points as they ran out 8-0 winners at Fort William.
It now means that, following this and other recent heavy defeats, Fort have leaked a 107 goals in their 29 games this season.
Title-chasing Cove were 3-0 up at the breaks, with Danny Milne netting a hat-trick within 14 first half minutes.
The visitors then ran away with the game in the second half, with Martin Johnston bagging his four goals, including a spot-kick, and Michael Taylor made it 8-0 in stoppage time.
Leaders Forres Mechanics battled back from 2-0 down to salvage what could be a key point in a 2-2 draw at Keith.
Last year’s champions Buckie Thistle hit six without reply at Brora Rangers to move into fifth spot, while Deveronvale were tested at home before seeing off second-bottom side Strathspey Thistle 3-2.
Wick Academy are eighth after their 2-1 Harmsworth Park win against Turriff United and Huntly and Rothes shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
