Loch Ness stay top but have to settle for one point against Thurso

Loch Ness remain unbeaten at the top of the North Caledonian League – but they had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Thurso.

In a game switched to Halkirk, Shane Carling’s impressive pace-setters could not find a way past the Vikings, who are nine places and 18 points below them.

Second-placed Golspie Sutherland’s match away to Orkney was postponed due to a bereavement and they are five points behind, now with a game in hand.

On Saturday, Loch Ness have no fixture, while Golspie go to Alness United.

Alness will be looking for a response after they were beaten 3-2 by hosts Nairn County A.

United have 15 points on the board after a steady start to the season, while the victory for the Nairn youngsters takes them on to seven points in 11th position.

Alexander Mackay gave Alness an early lead, but Kieran Duffty levelled after 20 minutes.

Quickfire goals from Grant Hogg and Tyler Eadie in the second half increased the advantage for the winners, with Mackay’s late counter a mere consolation.

Another game which didn’t follow the league positions came at North Kessock where now fifthplaced Inverness Athletic lost 3-2 against visitors Halkirk United, who rose to ninth and are now just one point from their beaten opponents.

Danni Bruce put Inverness ahead with a goal in 15 minutes, but the tide turned for Halkirk as a Ben Sinclair penalty and goals for Kyle Henderson and Steven Anderson made it 3-1 by half-time. Bruce netted a second late on.

Current champions Invergordon continued their climb up the table, with their 5-1 win at rockbottom Bonar Bridge putting them third.

Jack Mackay’s brace and one from Benjamin Kelly had the visitors 3-0 ahead inside 25 minutes.

Bonar, who have won only once this term, held on until 75 minutes when Ken Morrison made it 4-0.

Daniel Hutchinson put Bonar on the scoresheet, but Callum Murray added a fifth late on.

It means Invergordon are three points behind Golspie with a game in hand and superior goal difference and eight points below Loch Ness with two matches to spare on the leaders.

On Friday night, Fort William edged out Clachnacuddin A 4-3 at Claggan Park.

Fort are one of four teams on 15 points, while Clach are only kept off bottom spot by Bonar Bridge’s poorer goal difference.