Highland League round-up: Late goal for Nairn denies Strathspey win
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A late goal from Fraser Dingwall denied Strathspey Thistle their first win since November at home to Nairn County on Saturday.
But they did put an end to their seven game run of defeats in the Highland League, moving onto six points for the season.
The Jags broke the deadlock on 54 minutes after a goalless first half when Daniel Whitehorn picked up a ball on the edge of the area and slotted past Dylan Maclean.
Despite chances to finish the job, Thistle were hit late by an 87th minute header from County captain Dingwall on the end of a Conor Gethins cross.
Elsewhere, Buckie Thistle continued their push for the league championship with a 4–2 over rivals Brora Rangers at Victoria Park.
The Cattachs took the lead early in the game with a goal from Andrew Macrae, before Scott Adams levelled on 31 minutes.
A goal from Tony Dingwall immediately put Brora back in the driving seat for the remainder of the first half – but it was Buckie who took the spoils in the second.
A penalty award for Thistle provided Andy MacAskill with the opportunity to level the scores on 62 minutes, and the turnaround was completed when Mark Nicolson steered the ball into his own net four minutes later.
The Jags rounded off the win with a goal from Josh Peters with nine minutes to go.
League leaders Brechin City made easy work of opponents Wick Academy at Harmsworth Park to retain their place at the top of the Highland League on goal difference.
Full back Jamie Bain grabbed two of the goals, netting after 21 minutes before Grady McGrath doubled City's advantage midway through the second half. Bain's second came from the penalty spot eight minutes from the end.
A Niall Kennedy penalty resulted in the shock of the day as Lossiemouth held on for a 1–0 win over struggling Inverurie Locos.
The Coasters went ahead from the spot on 31 minutes after Mark Souter was penalised for a foul inside the area.
Fraserburgh, who sit 11 points behind Buckie and Brechin, beat Huntly 3–0 with goals from Ryan Sargent (2) and Marc Lawrence.
Formartine United, who hit thirteen goals without reply throughout January, were given a stiffer test at Turriff United on Saturday.
The home side took the lead after just three minutes through Callan Gray before the Pitmedden side replied through Paul Campbell.
But Gray put Turriff ahead again just two minutes later and it took a Stuart Smith goal right before half time to restore parity.
A better second half performance from Formartine saw them run out 4–2 winners though, thanks to goals from Julian Wade and Campbell.
At Kynoch Park, Keith and Deveronvale looked like they might have been preparing a goalfest, with Liam Duncan and Oleg Dlugosz netting within eight minutes of each other early in the game, but the honours remained even and the affair ended 1–1.
Further lifting themselves away from the bottom end of the table, Banks o' Dee recorded their third consecutive home win with a 2–0 victory over Rothes.
Magnus Watson and Lachie Macleod found the net for the Spain Park side within the first 15 minutes of the game, with no further scoring.
At Grant Street Park, Clachnacuddin beat Forres Mechanics 2–0 with a first half goal from Harry Hennem and a Paul Brindle goal scored in injury time.
