Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Opening-day shock for league champs
LOCHEE United went 22 Super League games without defeat in the league last season but they fell at the first hurdle in their opener at Luncarty on Saturday.
However, it took a controversial last-minute penalty to end the Bluebells’ run.
The Dundee side contributed to their own downfall, missing a number of clear-cut chances, particularly in the first half which ended goalless.
Danny Cavanagh passed up a great chance to give the Bluebells an early second-half lead and they were made to pay when the hosts went in front through a Kieran Donald header.
Lochee finally converted one of their chances when Kevin Milne prodded in the equaliser in 63 minutes.
However, the Bleachers regained the lead two minutes later through Chris Anton.
It looked like the game would end in a draw when Scott McComiskie flicked in a late equaliser.
In the final minute, however, Luncarty were awarded a controversial penalty which was converted by Fraser Mills to consign Lochee to their first league defeat in over a year.
Stand-in co managers Ralph Henderson and Tony McAulay looked like guiding Broughty Athletic to an opening-day win at Forfar West End when Gary Fraser gave them the lead.
However, with 10 minutes to go, West End player/manager Daryl McKenzie levelled to earn his side a point in a 1-1 draw.
West End expect their team to be on the same lines for Wednesday trip to North End.
It was a similar story at Kirrie where the home side fought out a 1-1 draw with North End. Ryan Smith gave the Dokens the lead but Thistle hit back with a Stuart McKenna equaliser.
There was no such problem for Carnoustie, who romped to a 6-0 win over Scone Thistle.
The Gowfers led through a Ryan Dignan goal at half-time and Thistle caved in after the break, conceding another five.
Steven McPhee set the ball rolling with the second in 49 minutes then a three-goal burst in the next 20 minutes saw Sam Simpson, Dignan and Paul McLellan take the tally to five.
New signing McLellan made it a debut to remember by notching a sixth in the final minute.
Despite the goalless scoreline, Downfield and Tayport served up an entertaining hard-fought 90 minutes with a draw about right.
The Fifers came close to grabbing all three points when a Dayle Robertson 20-yarder crashed off the bar in the dying minutes.