United share spoils after Arbroath draw

The focus has been on matters off the park for Lochee United over the last couple of weeks but the Dundee side returned to action on the park as they travelled to take on Arbroath Vics.

The two sides drew 1-1 at Thomson Park on the opening day and once again Vics took a point from Grant Lawson’s side from a 0-0 draw.

Both sides will make cases for winning the game but in the end will be content with a point.

Vics’ Calvin Wood saw a header cleared off the line in the first half and Sam Wood saw a shot come back off the post after the break with the visitors best chances coming late on as Lawson had a goal disallowed for offside and Kerr Hay saw a goalbound effort well blocked by Arran Lyall in stoppage time.

Dundee North End stay top of the table after they took three points from a 4-0 win over Lochee Harp at New Beechwood.

Josh Mclaughlin opened the scoring on 21 minutes and Frankie Devine doubled the advantage from the penalty spot. Jamie Montgomery added a third goal and after Harp missed the chance to pull a goal back from the spot, Reece Ritchie converted North End’s second penalty with three minutes to go.

Broughty Athletic remain in second place, four points behind the leaders, after a 3-0 victory over 10-man Tayport. Craig Tosh gave Broughty the lead and a minute into the second half Ben Sivewright made it 2-0.

Tayport were reduced to 10 men on 49 minutes after Bradie Heggie was sent off. Broughty made sure of the points with a third goal from Tosh just after the hour-mark.

Carnoustie Panmure took a while to get going before upping their game after the break to run out 6-2 winners against Brechin Vics.

Murray Smith struck a sweet volley after 10 minutes to give Brechin the lead but the Gowfers turned the game round in a four-minute spell midway through the half.

A free-kick from Jamie Winter appeared to be flicked home by Dylan Stephen and two minutes later Dale Reid added another wonderful strike to his collection from the edge of the box.

Brechin were level on 51 minutes when Smith scored from the spot but Reid added his second from close range on 64 minutes.

Simpson scored from the spot to make it 4-2 and Gordon Macdonald got in on the scoring act with two late goals to complete a comfortable victory.

Coupar Angus beat Dundee St James 5-1. The visitors went in front after seven minutes when Dale Mcintosh put the ball into his own net but that was as good as it got for St James.

Ryan Hunter equalised before Sean Tucker scored twice to put his side in control.

After the break Ollie Neave added a fourth with 15 minutes to go before Robbie Norrie scored the fifth in the closing stages.

Downfield maintained their challenge to the top five and at the same time dented East Craigie’s chances with a 3-0 win at Craigie Park. The Spiders’ hero was Liam Mcartney who grabbed a hat-trick.

Dundee Violet and Blairgowrie produced a goal-fest at Glenesk Park with the home side taking the points thanks to a stoppage-time own goal in a seven-goal thriller.

Greg Houston (2) and Andrew Kelly counted for Violet with an own goal sealing the points for the Dundee side in 89 minutes.

Kirriemuir Thistle moved up into third place following a 5-1 win over Forfar United at Guthrie Park. Liam Duell (2), Robbie Gallacher, Ben Starkey and Ben Wilson scored for Kirrie with Connor Birse grabbing the United consolation.

Letham beat Forfar West End 2-0 at Seven Acres. The Perth side took the lead on 14 minutes through Hutchison and Paddy Deane made sure of the win with a second goal with 10 minutes to go.

Montrose Roselea made it six games unbeaten as they took a point from a 1-1 North Region Premier League draw against leaders Hermes at Broomfield Park. Dylan Griggs scored for Lea.