Buckie Thistle remain top of the Highland League table a point ahead of Forres Mechanics despite their second 2-2 draw in the space of seven days.

The home side led twice through Zander Sutherland and Graeme Stewart, but two pieces of opportunism from Irishman Coner Gethins secure County a point.

Man-of-the-match Sutherland, whose tireless running kept the County defenders on their toes throughout the 90 minutes, said his diving header for the opener had more that a touch of good fortune about it.

Sutherland said: "My goal may have looked like a brilliant header, but in truth the ball hit me in the face and flew past the County goalkeeper.

"I was disappointed as I had another shot late-on which brushed off the outside of the post in a game we really should have won, but we twice allowed County to peg us back after we had gone ahead.

"Conor Gethins did well to score twice, but we should be doing better.

"We are shipping too many goals easily.

"I don't think we will be doing that come the end of the season, I'm sure we will get stronger as the season progresses."

He added: "Playing up-front is a new role for me this season, but it is one I am really enjoying.  It will take me time to learn all the skills but I am more than willing to learn.

"I have now scored eight this season but I don't want to put pressure on myself."

County only had two efforts on target, but both fell to dangerman Gethins, and both landed up in the back of the net.

The former Ross County and Peterhead centre forward said: "Two chances, two goals, thats what I'm here for do.

"I have played against Buckie before but it was when I was with Ross County.  They are a big, strong and physical team and they dominated the first half.

"We came out for the second half and embarrassed them a little bit.

"They are the champions, but only a great tackle from big Mike Morrison on Steven Mackay saved them near the end.  We conceded goals which should never have been conceded, but we showed a lot of character to come back twice and draw the game."

Buckie dominated the first half but only had one goal to show for it at half-time, Sutherland's diving header in the 18th minute from a Lewis MacKinnon cross which flew high into the roof of the net past helpless Callum Donaldson.

County drew level in the 62nd minute when Robbie Duncanson played the ball across the six-yard line to the unmarked Gethins who had a simple task to steer it past Kevin Main.

Six minutes later the home side regained the lead, Stewart turning in a Paul Napier cross which had been headed into his path by Hamish Munro.

Nairn were not to be denied and in the 79th minute Steven Mackay threaded the ball through to Gethins who turned on a sixpence before clipping the ball high past Main from eight yards.

With three minutes left Mackay looked certain to score the winner until he was robbed as he was about to pull the trigger by a brilliant Michale Morrison sliding tackle.

Report by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal