Late Huntly own goal hands Cattachs all three points

For the second time this season an own goal settled a game between Brora Rangers and Huntly as Brora recorded a seventh straight home win over the Black and Golds.

Brora manager Ross Tokely was pleased after his side ended a threegame losing streak with victory at Dudgeon Park.

Steven Mackay missed a penalty for the hosts before Huntly’s Christopher Hay put the ball into his own net four minutes from time to give the Cattachs victory.

Tokely said: “We deserved the win but could have done more in the final third. I felt we were quite comfortable and our goalkeeper only had one save to make.

“It’s not like Steven Mackay to miss a penalty and it was unfortunate for the Huntly full-back to score an own goal as that late on in the game I thought we were heading for a 0-0 draw.”

Huntly were dealt a blow after half an hour when Cameron Booth was replaced after suffering a broken cheekbone following a challenge from Kyle Macleod.

Brora were awarded a penalty after 60 minutes when Macleod was bundled over by Cory Ritchie but Mackay was denied from the spot by a superb save from John Farquhar. Brora goalkeeper Joe Malin had a quiet time in the home goal but pulled off a point-blank stop to deny Neale Davidson in the 72nd minute.

The visitors passed up a great chance five minutes later when Ryan Stewart failed to connect from close range.

With just over three minutes remaining, Gavin Morrison sent a dangerous cross into the box and the unfortunate Hay could only turn the ball into his own net to give the home side all three points.

Missing several players for their final fixture of the season, Huntly manager Charlie Charlesworth was pleased with the display from his young squad with an average age of 23.

He said: “We came with a makeshift squad. We put Christopher Hay and Cory Ritchie in after they hadn’t played for a while and they were brilliant.

“We didn’t create many chances and we were under the cosh in the second half but we defended well and showed a good team spirit.

“John Farquhar has saved three penalties since I came to the club and he had another good afternoon. He made some good saves to keep out a couple of shots that looked destined for the back of the net.”

Brora have three games remaining, starting on Wednesday at Rothes.