Clach bag point in late drama

SPIRITED Clach halted Inverurie Locos 100 per cent record with a 2-2 draw at Grant Street Park on Saturday, but were left rueing a late equaliser from the visitors.

Locos opened the scoring two minutes before the break when Neil Gauld slammed home the rebound after David Ross’ effort was blocked.

The Lillies levelled when defender Alistair MacLeod netted from a corner in the 83 minute.

Three minutes later Clach were in front thanks to Paul Brindle, who played a neat one-two with Kyle Whyte before slotting home.

Iain Polworth’s side thought the points were in the bag and they’d secured their second win of their Highland League campaign, but Gauld had other ideas and notched his second goal and eighth of the season in the last minute.

Deep into stoppage time Gauld saw red for a rash challenge on Clach goalkeeper John Campbell.

The result leaves the Lillies languishing in thirteenth place.

Nairn County were left kicking themselves after missing a host of chances as they went down 1-0 at home to Keith.

Andy MacAskill’s bullet header in the 62 minute was enough for the visitors to secure the three points, and leave the Wee County in eighth, after three wins and three losses.

Resolute Fort William secured their first point of the season with a hard-fought draw at Buckie Thistle.

Schoolboy goalkeeper Robin Harvey, 16, impressed for the Claggan Parkers, helping Fort to their first away clean sheet since April 2010 at Brora.

Buckie midfielder Donnie Munro squandered their best chance of the game when he sliced wide with the goal gaping in the first half.

The point keeps Fort off the bottom thanks to a superior goal difference over Strathspey, who also picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at Huntly.

Wick Academy dropped points at home for the first time since May 2012, drawing 1-1 at home to champions Cove Rangers.

Brora are the only team with a 100 per cent record still intact after a 6-0 cruise against Lossiemouth.

In the other Highland League ties, Turriff United recorded a 3-0 success at Rothes, and Fraserburgh bagged all three points with a 2-0 victory at home to Forres.