UNBEATEN ROTHES EDGE PAST PLUCKY HUNTLY SIDE

Rothes stretched their unbeaten run to eight games as early second-half goals from Alan Pollock and Greg Morrison secured a 2-0 win at Huntly.

Manager Ross Jack said: “We started the first half pretty well, but fair play to Huntly who came back into it and put us under pressure. We had a wee chat at half-time, changed the shape a bit and we reaped the rewards early in the second half, so I’m delighted with the reaction.”

The win came at a cost for Rothes with scorer Greg Morrison limping off with 17 minutes left. Jack added: “Greg’s been outstanding and worked the frontline very well with a good goal, but unfortunately he’s picked up a bad injury and was heading to hospital for an X-ray.”

With five minutes gone, Euan Storrier parried a Greg Morrison shot before Fraser Robertson headed over from the rebound.

Good play from Huntly’s Greg Buchan saw the midfielder release Angus Grant, who was kept out at the near post by Rothes keeper Sean McCarthy.

In first-half stoppage time, Huntly thought they had taken the lead. Angus Grant got by Michael Finnis and struck a low shot into the net, but assistant referee Andy Stephenson flagged for offside.

Rothes took the lead in the 49th minute when Michael Clark was penalised for a foul on Morrison outside the penalty area and Pollock curled home the free-kick for his third of the season.

Four minutes later, Morrison struck with a low shot from 20 yards – his second goal in three games.

Huntly boss Allan Hale said: “Rothes were more clinical and more ruthless in both boxes. We showed them a bit too much respect then grew into the game.”