Highland League late drama as Inverurie Locos strike twice at the death to rob Rothes of victory while Brora Rangers stun Deveronvale with a late show in League Cup semi-final
There was late heartache for Rothes in the battle to avoid the Highland League bottom spot.
The Speysiders looked on course to end a run of nine straight defeats when they led 2-0 at Inverurie Locos, who had won five in a row.
Ross Logan’s 11th minute strike and a second goal in two games for on-loan Forres Mechanics striker Shaun Morrison had the Moray side comfortably ahead at the break.
Paul Coutts pulled one back with a penalty a minute into the second half, but Rothes were still hanging on to their lead when the match entered the 90th minute.
However, Mark Souter popped up with an equaliser and three minutes into stoppage time, Milosz Ochmanski broke Rothes hearts with a winning goal to confirm a tenth consecutive loss for Ronnie Sharp’s men.
Even a point would have taken Rothes above Strathspey Thistle, who lost 2-0 at home to Rothes.
The Maroons also struck late with Jordan Cooper netting on 72 minutes and Joey Wilson tying things up in the 90th.
There was also late devastation for Deveronvale in the semi-finals of the Highland League Cup as they also lost out in the closing minutes.
At home to a Brora Rangers side who defeated them 5-0 in the league a week earlier, Vale trailed at half time to a goal from ex-Elgin City and Caley Thistle striker Shane Sutherland.
But Vale player boss Garry Wood levelled the scores midway through the second half and when the score remained at 1-1 going into the final two minutes, a penalty shoot-out was on the cards.
But Craig Mackenzie pounced on 88 minutes to edge Brora back in front and Sutherland made sure with his second of the game in time added on to complete a 3-1 win for the visitors.
Brora will meet Fraserburgh in the final, as two goals in the last five minutes from Scott Barbour and Sean Butcher took Broch to a 2-0 win at home to Banks o’ Dee in the other semi on Friday night.
It was a great day for Brora, as their title rivals Brechin City slipped up again in a 1-1 draw at home to Clachnacuddin.
The Inverness men took the lead through a James Anderson goal on 70 minutes and Brechin needed an 88th minute Scott Logan goal to rescue a point.
Buckie Thistle continued their good run of form with a 2-0 win at Nairn County.
Elgin City loan striker Fin Allen made it four goals in four games for the Jags with an 18th minute opener and Lyall Keir’s 11th of the season doubled their lead just before the break.
Forres Mechanics held Formartine United to a 1-1 draw at Mosset Park.
Paul Campbell’s early strike had the visitors in front at the break before Jordan Alonge’s ninth of the season levelled on 51 minutes.
Wick Academy defeated Turriff United 2-0 thanks to a Marc MacGregor goal on 26 minutes and a Gordon MacNab clincher on the hour.
