BUCKIE HOLD ON TO HOT HALF-DOZEN

Two players sent off at Victoria Park as Thistle preserve six-point lead over visitors Huntly

Buckie Thistle remain six points ahead of Huntly at the top of the Highland League table after a bruising encounter at Victoria Park last night - but Huntly have a game in hand.

Neil Davidson fired the home side ahead seven minutes from the break but Russell Guild's clever lob brought a 65th minute leveller for the Black-and-Golds.

Buckie Thistle were without the suspended Graeme Stewart - his place in central midfield going to Neil Davidson.

Huntly made one change from the team which won 1 - 0 at Brora at the weekend with Ross McKenzie coming in for Simon Scott in defence.

Victoria Park had been under water at lunchtime and although the playing surface was heavy the ground staff had done a magnificent job in getting it playable for the important match.

Buckie left back Bob Duncan came close for the home side in the eighth minute when his blistering 30-yard drive hit the top of the crossbar on its way over.

Just before the break Buckie had a guilt-edged opportunity to break the deadlock when Martin Charlesworth turned on a sixpence and sent an enticing cross but north football's leading scorer MacMillan mis-kicked right in front of the goal and the chance was lost.

In the 38th minute Victoria Park erupted when the home side took the lead.

A Chris Angus cross was flicked on by Charlesworth into the path of Neil Davidson and the long serving midfielder showed great composure to clip the ball up and over Neil Hastie as the keeper advanced.

It was Davidson's first goal in two seasons.

Huntly had a real chance to equalise 12 minutes after the restart when Myles Broomhill sent in an inch-perfect but from six yards and with only Strong to beat Russell Guild headed four yards wide of the target.

Huntly levelled in the 65th minute when Strong came out 10 yards to punch away a cross.

The ball landed at the feet of Russell Guild who steadied himself and lobbed it up and over the stranded Buckie goalkeeper.

Both teams were reduced to 10-men in the 74th minute when Huntly substitute Colin Robertson who only came on four minutes earlier, was red-carded for a tackle on Davie MacRae.  Then Bukcie goal hero Neil Davidson turned villain when he followed Robertson up the tunnel for taking revenge on the Huntly player and the match ended with honours even.

Report by Dave Edwards, Press & Journal