Late fight back keeps Turriff show on road
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DEFIANT Turriff United boss Ross Jack has vowed they will keep pushing Brora Rangers all the way in the Highland League title race.
The Haughs side needed a Gary McGowan penalty nine minutes from the end of a pulsating clash with Buckie Thistle to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.
That saw them slip two points behind Brora in the title chase, but Turriff showed great character to fight back against a very good Buckie side and keep their unbeaten home league record intact.
They looked to be on their way to a 12th straight win in all competitions when Andy MacAskill looped a header over Buckie keeper Andy Burr after just seven minutes.
The home side dominated the opening 20 minutes and threatened to extend their lead on more than one occasion.
However, Buckie got back on level terms midway through the half when Turiff keeper Kevin Main was adjudged to have fouled Chris Angus outside his box when he seemed to get a foot to the ball to clear a dangerous situation.
Main was yellow carded by referee Craig Sim and the sense of injustice was compounded from Andy Low’s free kick when Angus bundled the ball home.
The second half was an entertaining affair, with chances at both ends and both sides playing good football on an increasingly heavy pitch after a succession of downpours.
Main pulled off a great save to deny Low and moments later Burr produced a terrific one-handed save to claw away a McGowan effort.
The home fans were stunned on the hour mark when a long ball out of defence caught the Turra defence flat-footed and Angus capitalised to calmly lob the ball over Main.
The play flowed from end to end but Turiff looked like losing their proud unbeaten record as chances were missed and Burr pulled off some good stops to keep them out.
Just when it looked as if Turiff had started to run out of steam, they got a break when sub Nick Gray went down in a tangle with Darren Wood and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
McGowan remained calm to neatly despatch the penalty to earn a point.
Turriff had chances to win the game in injury time with sub Craig MacAskill and McGowan denied by the Buckie keeper.
Turriff boss Jack said: "I think we did enough to claim the three points in terms of possession and chances created. I thought their keeper was outstanding and kept them in the game with some fantastic saves."
However, Jack did admit the penalty which handed them a lifeline was a soft award.
"We got out of jail at the end with the penalty and I would have been aggrieved if that had been awarded against us," he conceded.
"The heads are down in the dressing room but they have nothing to be ashamed of because we have been on a fantastic run. We’ll battle on. It is frustrating but we just have to accept the point. We just have to keep doing what we need to do and try to win as many games as possible.
"We are still in two cup competitions and in the top part of the league so we are delighted," he added.
McGowan said: "I think we deserved the draw. Their keeper kept them in it. Buckie are a good side and to take a point after being 2-1 down is no disgrace.
"We have not said to ourselves we are going to win the league and just take it week to week. We wanted the three points because we were at home but a draw was a fair result.
"Both teams try to play the game the right way. They have a few players who will cause teams problems and they will take points off a lot of teams for the rest of the season.
"We had chances and it was just unfortunate it did not happen for us."
Turriff: Main, Davidson, Herd, Beagrie, Bowden, Kuznecovs, Nowosielski (Gray), Young, Harris (C. MacAskill), A. MacAskill, McGowan. Not used: Chalmers, Allan, Brownie, O’Brien.
