Match report: Keith lead Fraserburgh twice but have to settle for creditable Highland League point to prepare for League Cup semi-final at Brora Rangers

What a difference four days made to Keith’s performance following their unceremonious exit from the Scottish Cup.

A battling display against title challengers Fraserburgh in atrocious conditions saw the Maroons twice take the lead, but ended up sharing the spoils.

Manager Craig Ewen rang the changes with six new names in the starting line-up.

Both sides produced a riveting first half played in a swirling wind with constant flurries of rain without being able to break the deadlock.

After the break Keith continued to battle valiantly and Mikey Taylor twice went close.

Craig Reid saved the day with a fine stop in the 65th minute, and within a minute at the other end Taylor headed home a Liam Duncan cross for his first goal for the club.

The lead lasted only a couple of minutes though when the unlucky Liam Cheyne, having a fine game, unfortunately turned a Ryan Sargent cross into his own net.

However, instead of folding, the homesters kept going with vim and vigour, and regained the lead with 82 minutes on the clock. A Cheyne corner came flying in, and amidst a melee of bodies Mikey Ironside, only on the pitch for eight minutes, pounced to ram the ball home from six yards.

There was to be a sting in the tail sadly, and you’ve got to feel for Craig Reid here. Connor Killoh was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box in the 87th minute and the ‘keeper brilliantly parried Sargent’s penalty only for the striker to follow up to convert the loose ball. This replicated the goalie’s outstanding penalty save on Saturday, the same fate befalling him, the loose ball being headed home.

Keith team: Reid, Wilson, Cheyne, Morrison (Coull 74), Robertson, Gill, McKeown (Ironside 74), Brownie (Cooper 80), Killoh, Taylor (Tough 80), Duncan (Addison 85). Subs: Yeats, Lynch, Smith, MacLeod.

Referee: K Buchanan.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.