Carnoustie battle back while Lochee take over at the top

THE season may only be five games in but the league race looks wide open with only a point separating the top six clubs.

Carnoustie looked set to lose their second game in a row when they were 2-1 down to North End but a last-gasp equaliser saved their bacon.

After a goalless first half the Dokens took the lead through Britton on 53 minutes but the Gowfers hit back through Ryan Dignan on 70 minutes. It then looked like the Dokens were set to pick up all three points when a Thomas goal restored their lead with seven minutes to go but Kieran Conway struck for the Gowfers in the last minute to salvage a point.

The Dokens have strengthened their striking power by signing Bryan Deasley from Lochee United.

Lochee took over as league leaders with a pulsating 5-3 win over East Craigie.

The Bluebells took a two-goal lead with strikes from Logan Davie and George Johnston before Jordan Conway pulled one back from a penalty.

Further goals from Johnston and Calvin Colquhoun appeared to put the Bluebells on easy street but the Shipbuilders came storming back with a double from Rory Faulkner. However, home fears were eased when Kevin Milne netted a fifth.

Tayport made it two wins in a row with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Forfar WE. Jamie Hume gave them the lead on 12 minutes and two minutes into the second half Ryan Paterson doubled their advantage. Luke O’Brien made it three on 72 minutes to close the home side out.

Broughty Athletic eased their way to a 5-0 win over Forfar United at Whitton Park. The Fed took the lead through Ruari Henry on seven minutes and two minutes later Findlay Baird added a second.

Brad Smith made it 3-0 at the interval when he converted a penalty then, along with a goal from Lewis Boylan, Smith added his second to make it 5-0 in the second half.

St James are the only club in the league without a point after blowing a comfortable lead against Violet who came from 3-1 down to win 4-3.

Josh McLaughlin gave the home side the lead on seven minutes and it looked promising for them when Steve Abbot made it two four minutes later.

The Pansies reduced the deficit through Barry Wilson on 39 minutes but Abbot restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage with their third five minutes into the second half. But in a rousing finish Greg Breen pulled one back then tied things up from a penalty with seven minutes to go. It looked oddson St James would still pick up their first point but Breen netted a winner for the Pansies three minutes into stoppage time to complete his hat-trick.

Blairgowrie and Downfield couldn’t be separated at Davie Park with both sides settling for a point in an exciting 3-3 draw. The Spiders took the lead through Connor Coupe on 15 minutes but Gary Axworthy levelled in 24 minutes before Jordan Colquhoun converted a penalty to restore the Spiders’ lead. Matty Adam netted another for Blair to tie things up before half-time. Bruce Hearn once again restored the visitors’ lead on 51 minutes but Blair replied soon after, with an Axworthy equaliser. Elsewhere, Scone Thistle picked up their second win with a 2-1 victory over Arbroath Vics, while Bryan Duell scored a double in Kirrie Thistle’s 4-2 win at Brechin Vics.

Letham hammered Coupar Angus 7-0. Aidan Edwards scored a double and Jack Hutchison, Paul McConnachie, Paddy Deane, Mark Shaw and Kacper Przeslica also found the net.