Cove can Mech up title gap
HIGHLAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP
Cove Rangers took another stride towards retaining their crown with a 3-2 home win over Forres Mechanics.
On a day when idle Buckie Thistle were knocked off top spot, Brora Rangers edged a point ahead at the summit.
Cove though have two games in hand and moved to second courtesy of Mitch Megginson’s brace and a late Matthew McDonald winner after Stuart Soane’s double had pegged them back.
Cove boss John Sheran said: “It doesn’t matter what it looks like as long as it’s a win – and we got that.
“The league title is very much up for grabs and there will be a lot of twists and turns between now and the end of the season.”
Elsewhere, Kyle MacLeod bagged a hat-trick to help Brora to a 4-1 win at Keith.
Luke Barbour had put the home side in front, only for MacLeod’s treble and a Steve Mackay single to seal victory for Ross Tokely’s side.
Forma r t ine United squeezed out derby rivals Inverurie Locos 2-1 at home with a Paul Lawson penalty and Stuart Smith winner after Dean Donaldson had briefly levelled for Locos.
A late Gary Harris penalty strike earned Fraserburgh a 1-1 home draw with Wick Academy who had led from Sam Mackay’s spot-kick.
Rob Duncanson grabbed a point for Huntly with a late finish against old club Clach to cancel out Daniel MacLennan’s opener.
A David Ross hat- trick was the highlight of Turriff United’s 4- 0 home rout against Fort William, with David Booth also on target.
LOWLAND LEAGUE ROUND-UP
East Kilbride continued their march towards the title with a 2- 0 win over Edinburgh University.
Ex-Hearts striker Russell McLean opened the scoring and Craig Howie netted to maintain their seven-point lead over East Stirlingshire who beat Whitehill Welfare 3- 0 at Ochilview.
David Grant and Kris Faulds found the net before Charlie Denton deflected the ball into his own net.
Selkirk eased relegation fears with a 2-1 win over Cumbernauld Colts at Broadwood – despite having two players sent off.
Ricky Mi l ler and Phi l Addison netted in the first half, only for Addison and Unpha Korona to be sent off.
Scott Davidson pulled one back for the Colts late on.