On top of that, there were worrying signs of indiscipline in the Newtonmore ranks.

Kyles were first to the attack, forcing a couple of saves from Michael Ritchie in the Newtonmore goal inside the first two minutes.

In the sixth minute, a quick break saw a shot from David Cheyne fly just wide of Kyles' keeper Kenny MacDonald's left post.

'More then went close again. Brian Cheyne shot wide for Newtonmore before Glen MacKintosh fired an effort just over the bar.

Kyles, however, were still looking threatening, though no nearer the target than 'More.

There was something of a let-off for Kyles on the half-hour when Brian Cheyne was through clear on goal. But he closed in too tight to MacDonald in the goal, who was able to make himself big and he reacted quickly enough to deflect Cheyne's shot for a corner. Five minutes later, Cheyne forced a good save again out of the irrepresible MacDonald. The game continued to go from end to end, though with little real cohesion from either side.

However the visitors grabbed the lead in the 42nd minute. Duncan Kerr closed in on the Newtonmore goal as Ritchie came out to challenge and the keeper's stick went flying as Kerr's half-made shot trundled over the line.

Newtonmore were first up with the chances after the interval, going close twice in the first three minutes and the Blue and Whites were level in the 50th minute. Cheyne picked up the ball tight on the the bye-line, dribbled past two defenders and fired home from a difficult angle to level the scores.

The dangerman went close again seven minutes later, but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Kyles continued to put pressure on the Newtonmore defence but posed little real threat.

Newtonmore were guilty of a number of niggling fouls as the half wore on. Referee Colin MacDonald's decisions became increasingly frustrating as Kyles appeared equally guilty but escaped the official's wrath.

Newtonmore took the lead in the 73rd minute after a rare mistake by Kenny MacDonald. He let the ball run free tight to his left post and David Cheyne was on hand to poke the ball home.

John Mackenzie was booked immediately after this for a foul that he had committed in the course of the attack that led to the goal, though the referee said he had let the game continue as Kyles had gained posession.

Then Davie Campbell in the 'More defence incurred the referee's displeasure and a yellow card for what seemed an innocuous foul. By now, Newtonmore were on the edge of indignation and when Campbell committed a second seemingly minor foul in the 89th minute the referee reached once again for the yellow card, followed by the red.

Newtonmore's Paul MacArthur winds up for a shot on the Kyles Goal as Robbie MacLeod tries to intercept on Saturday.

Moving into injury time and the inevitable happened as Tom White fired home for Kyles to level the match.

In truth, neither side deserved to win but the way in which Newtonmore's disciplinary resolve crumbled in the wake of some eccentric refereeing was worrying.

Worst of all was an incident after the final whistle when Cheyne was in the thick of the action again but this time for the wrong reason. He was hobbling across the field with a foot injury incurred through an unpunished Kyles foul.

When he crossed the referee's path, he let fly with a string of foul and abusive language which earned him an immediate red card.

The club and their fans now hope that this lack of discipline does not cost Newtonmore any dearer than the inevitable suspensions, given the warning issued to the club last season.

Meanwhile, it was plainer sailing for Kingussie who recorded a 3-1 win at Glen Urquhart in the Premier League.

Ronald Ross opened the scoring three minutes before the turn with a penalty, but Calum Miller equalised for Glen Urquhart in the 44th minute.

Ross made it 2-1 in the 65th minute and Ali Borthwick was on hand a few minutes later to make the game safe for Kingussie who now go second on five points ahead of Kyles on goal difference and a point clear of Newtonmore in fourth.

Leaders Fort William won 3-1 at An Aird over visitors Glenorchy to go a point clear of Kingussie and Kyles. A Gary Innes hat-trick in the 40th, 44th and 68th minutes sealed the win, with Stuart Scott countering for the visitors.

Oban Camanachd failed to take the opportunity to remain level with Fort William at the top and slip to fifth place after going down to a 2-1 defeat away to Bute.

Craig MacMillan opened the scoring for Oban in the 25th minute, but second half goals from Robert Ferguson and Robert Walker saw off the vistitors' challenge to give Bute their first points of the season and leave Glenorchy, with a single point, taking up the rear.

Lochaber took advantage of Inveraray's indifferent start to the season to earn a 1-1 draw on Loch Fyne side. Grant Griffin gave Inveraray the lead in five minutes but Zander Ferguson secured the draw with a strike on the hour.

Skier puts horrific injury behind her – Page 17 All the golf and rugby action – Page 16

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