Match Report - By Steven Mew

A dramatic last-gasp winner from Fraser Macleod saw City earn a crucial 3 points against Turriff United and in turn go level with Brora Rangers at the top of the Highland League.

The Turriff goal certainly led a charmed life throughout the 90 minutes with City creating a plethora of chances, and they got the goal that they richly deserved in the end.

The win, coupled with Brora going down 3-2 against Buckie Thistle, gave City supporters renewed optimism with just 7 fixtures remaining and sets up a mouthwatering top of the table clash against the Cattachs at Dudgeon Park next weekend.

New loan signing Mitch Taylor came straight into the starting 11 on the left side of defence with top scorer Dayle Robertson also in from the start as Scott Bright dropped to the bench, whilst Cillian Sheridan missed out through injury.

With just two minutes on the clock, an in-swinging corner from Fraser Macleod was missed by the goalkeeper and the ball was close to sneaking in had it not been for a Turriff defender heading off the line.

On 5 minutes, Liam Callaghan blazed a free kick well over and shortly after, a searching ball upfield from Lewis Martin found Fraser Macleod in behind the defence but he dinked his effort straight at Cameron Reid.

Martin then tried his luck himself with a blistering 20 yard strike which was well held by the goalkeeper, whilst home custodian Lenny Wilson had to be alert at the other end to save with his feet to deny Mackenzie Taylor from close range.

Dayle Robertson headed wide for City before the impressive Mitch Taylor, who was causing Turriff no end of problems down the left hand side, sliced a shot wide from range.

Shortly after the half hour mark, a low ball into the box from Lewis Martin found Ewan Loudon lurking, but his shot was charged down and trickled into the grateful arms of Reid.

Despite City’s dominance, the sides went in level at the break but Ray McKinnon’s side certainly didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second period.

Eight minutes in, City missed a glorious opportunity when a long throw from Mitch Taylor was met by Brad McKay who flicked a header which came off the far post and just as Fraser Macleod looked to put away the rebound, Reid somehow got a hand to it to keep it out.

On 57 minutes, Kieran Sweeney headed against the upright from a Liam Callaghan free kick and a few minutes later, Marc Scott glanced a header narrowly wide from Fraser Macleod’s corner.

City continued to lay siege on the visitors goal and another fantastic opportunity was spurned when Ewan Loudon raced clear and squared the ball across for Dayle Robertson who miscued his effort with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Marc Scott then flashed a shot across the face of goal before Ewan Loudon’s low cross was clawed away from Robertson by the goalkeeper. The danger wasn’t quite over as Lewis Martin had a shot blocked before Mitch Taylor drilled a shot just over.

With 7 minutes remaining, City were again hugely unlucky not to break the deadlock when a free kick from Macleod was headed against the post by Robertson and the follow up from Sweeney was again kept out by the goalkeeper.

City kept pushing in the closing stages with Brad McKay heading straight at Reid from substitute Lewis Milne’s corner whilst Dayle Robertson volleyed over from close range a couple of minutes later.

It looked like being one of those days for City, however they dug deep and grabbed what may well be a priceless goal in the title race three minutes into added time. Lewis Martin’s cross into the box was spilled by Reid and Dayle Robertson managed to flick into the path of FRASER MACLEOD who finished from close range to send the home support into raptures.

Following the full time whistle, both Dylan Stuart and Owen Kinsella for the visitors received red cards for dissent.

A hugely important victory for City in the end which sets up a real blockbuster against Brora Rangers at Dudgeon Park next Saturday.

Other Results - Breedon Highland League

Banks O' Dee 2 Strathspey Thistle 1

Buckie Thistle 3 Brora Rangers 2

Clachnacuddin 7 Rothes 0

Deveronvale 2 Forres Mechanics 4

Formartine United 2 Wick Academy 2

Keith 1 Fraserburgh 1

Lossiemouth 0 Huntly 1

Nairn County 0 Inverurie Locos 1