Saturday 1 October
Huntly 2 Cove Rangers 2

Some poor defending late on saw Huntly twice let their lead slip as Cove left it late to snatch a share of the points at Christie Park writes Grant Turner.

It was billed as the Game of the Day with league leaders Huntly taking on second placed Cove Rangers at Christie Park but there was little for the fans to cheer about in an opening period that saw little in the way of goalmouth action.

Gary McGowan was the first to have a shot in anger when he picked up a loose ball and drove inside but his shot was blocked by Neil Cruickshank. Moments later, Jerry O'Driscoll flicked his header into the path of strike partner Richie Taylor who failed to hit the target.

At the other end, Cove also failed to trouble the opposition keeper with Gavin Hendry aiming a shot at Richard Bowman who saved with ease.

Just before the half hour, Clark Bain got in behind Simon Scott to deliver a dangerous cross low into the box but some solid defending from Scott Anderson cleared any danger.

Half Time: Huntly 0 Cove Rangers 0

Eight minutes after the interval, Taylor got through the Cove defence and as he raced through on goal he was hauled down by Ivor Pirie inside the box. With many expecting a penalty kick to be awarded, neither Referee Stuart Logan nor his standside assistant saw anything wrong with the challenge and waved play on much to the frustration of the home side.

Shortly after, Jerry O'Driscoll chested the ball down to Gary McGowan who supplied the cross for Richie Taylor who sent a great finish high past Pirie to open the scoring just inside the area.

The home side wasted a golden chance minutes later to increase their lead when O'Driscoll seemed to aim a shot straight at Pirie from yards out.

A good save by Pirie in 74 minutes saw the veteran keeper tip away a Matty Gairns cross only as far as Levi Stephen who drilled his first time effort wide of the post.

With nine minutes left, Cove were awarded a free kick inside the own half and pushed everyone into attack. Pirie sent the kick upfield to pick out sub Colin Milne. Milne was given the ball in a wide area and he crossed it into the dangerous back post area and there was Gavin Hendry who was unmarked and took full advantage of that fact, heading home from close range.

The cove contingent were still celebrating when Richie Taylor's half volleyed shot-come-pass rebounded into the path of Gary McGowan who pounced and fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

However there was to be one further twist with Cove grabbing a point two minutes into stoppage. Bruce Morrison launched a free kick from his own half up the park. Grant Devine took advantage of some more poor defending to head into the far post.