Top three teams made to battle for the points

THE top three in the Midlands League picked up maximum points on Saturday but they faced nervous finishes before clinching the points.

League leaders Broughty Athletic were 2-1 winners against a depleted Lochee Harp.

The Fed broke the deadlock through Derryn Kesson and Ryan Hunter doubled the lead before Matthew Riley made them sweat when he pulled a goal back for the Beechwood side.

Lochee United’s title chances looked over when they trailed East Craigie by two goals at half-time but after a pep talk they rallied and scored three goals to clinch the points.

Goals from Ross McNaughton and Lee Lorimer put the Shipbuilders in the driving seat at the interval but the Bluebells hit back through Ryan Paterson. Jack Neave scored the equaliser before Paterson completed the fightback with the winner.

North End had to depend on two penalties to defeat a spirited Coupar Angus 2-1.

Frankie Devine gave the Dokens the lead from the spot but Coupar hit back with an equaliser.

The Dokens were then awarded another penalty and Devine once again converted.

Downfield just got the better of Dundee St James at Fairfield and ran out 2-1 winners.

Goals from Liam McPake and Sean Tucker put the Spiders in the driving seat with the hosts replying with a late Josh McLaughlin penalty.

George Shields kicked off his Tayport managership with a 3-2 victory over Letham.

Scott McComiskie gave the Fifers a fifthminute lead and his fellow signing from Lochee United, Jaden Ferguson, doubled the advantage on 14 minutes.

Aiden Edwards pulled a goal back on 51 minutes but McComiskie restored Port’s twogoal advantage five minutes later, with Aaron Carlon converting a penalty for the Perth side with five minutes to go.

Carnoustie struggled to break down Brechin Vics but eventually picked up the points with a 2-1 win through goals from Ross Fraser and Kai Cooper. Corey Hill replied for Brechin.

Arbroath Vics stretched their unbeaten run to five matches in a match of few chances against Dundee Violet that ended goalless.

Scone Thistle gave it their best shot against Kirrie Thistle but had to admit defeat after goals from Stewart Russell and Ben Starkey helped the Westview side to a 2-1 win. Ben Aston was the Scone scorer.

Montrose Roselea fought out a 1-1 draw with Forfar United.

Fraser Jamieson gave Roselea the lead but Ross Bell ensured United picked up their second point in a row with an equaliser with 10 minutes to go.

Elsewhere, Marco Notarangelo was the happier of the two managers after Blairgowrie were 2-0 winners at Forfar WE.

TOUGH GOING: Broughty Athletic, in red, edged a 2-1 victory over a depleted Lochee Harp, who kept the league leaders on their toes.

Goal celebration for Broughty Athletic.