Harp test leaders despite red cards

Violet manager Ralph Henderson anticipated a hard-fought contest away to Harp, and so it proved as the leaders edged a 2-1 victory against their nineman hosts.

Steve Harris scored after 16 minutes and Craig Batchelor added the Pansies’ second with six minutes left.

Despite having Mark Kelly and assistant boss Jay Smart sent off, Gordon Ramsay pulled one back in injury time.

Luncarty’s 3-0 win in the derby with Scone Thistle at Brownlands Park keeps them level on points with Violet.

Richard Doig was the home hero, hitting a first half hat-trick.

Arbroath and East Craigie played out a goalless encounter at Ogilvy Park, though the match wasn’t without incident.

Just before the break Shipbuilders keeper Liam Dunne was sent off for picking the ball up outside the box when expecting an offside whistle.

The visitors, who hit the woodwork in each half, had substitute keeper Neil Gray to thank for a point, producing a superb double save from Ricky Gillespie’s penalty 15 from time. And with five minutes left the visitors were reduced to nine men with Nik Mann’s dismissal.

North End were too good for bottom club Forfar Albion, chalking up an 8-1 win at home.

A Frankie Devine double was followed by singles from Gav Hood, Ryan Rigden, Ryan Hunter (penalty), a Nathan Tosh double and an own goal

Blairgowrie eased to a 4-1 win at Lochore.

The Berrypickers went in at half-time leading courtesy of a Darren Neave goal.

Though the Fifers pegged that back through Kearayn Hicks, Danny Millar regained the lead for the visitors on 70 minutes with further goals from Matty Adams and Ian Plenderleith completing the scoring.

Kinnoull returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win at Brechin Vics.

Ben Ragan scored twice with David Gray getting the other, while Blair Stephen, having scored for Vics to level matters, was sent off.

Coupar Angus posted their first points of the season with a convincing 5-1 win at Newburgh.

Goals from Stuart Banks, Tom Casey and Euan McIlvenny had the visitors three up at the break and further goals followed from skipper Tom Leith and Casey again. Kieran Foy hit Newburgh’s consolation.