DEVERONVALE NAIRNCOUNTY

D2 1

everonvale came from behind to defeat Nairn County 2-1 as they chase a top-eight finish in the Highland League.

Steve Dolan’s side, sitting ninth in the table, will finish eighth if they defeat bottom of the table Fort William in their final game of the campaign at Princess Royal Park on Wednesday.

After an uneventful first period, Nairn’s leading goalscorer Jordan MacRae gave the visitors the lead on 49 minutes with a close-range finish after Vale failed to clear their lines with Michael Dunn on the sidelines receiving treatment for a head knock.

Vale levelled within three minutes when Robert Scott applied the finishing touch from six yards out to Lewis Dunbar’s cross to the back post.

Scott’s attempted lob from 16 yards was cleared off the line by Kenny McKenzie before Vale netted a second when Grant Noble’s free kick was volleyed home by Graeme Watt.

MacRae could have equalised ten minutes from time but failed to connect with a superb driven cross by McKenzie but that would have been harsh on Vale.

Dolan was pleased to come out on top in an encounter between two closely-matched sides.

He said: “I thought we played really well against a club who have the same philosophy as ourselves.

“Nairn also give young players a chance and try to move up the league to compete with teams who have spent a bit of money. Both teams have done really well to be where they are this season and chasing a finish in the top half of the table,

“We are 18 points

To the point: Graeme Watt celebrates after scoring the match-winning goal for Deveronvale against Nairn