Match Report - By Steven Mew

City’s long winning run came to an end but remain top of the table after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Huntly at Glebe Park yesterday evening.

It proved to a hugely frustrating night for City who had hit the woodwork three times during the 90 minutes, but were unable to force a winner against a hard working Huntly side.

Manager Andy Kirk made two changes from the side that won narrowly at Inverurie on Saturday, with Michael Cruickshank and Ewan Loudon coming in for Kevin McHattie and Jordan Northcott.

City got off to the ideal start with the opening goal after just 7 minutes. ANTHONY MCDONALD received the ball on the left hand side of the box and he fired a low drive into the bottom corner to put City ahead.

The lead was short lived as the visitors equalised through ANDREW HUNTER just a few minutes later. The striker rose well to head a free kick into the corner.

With 17 minutes gone, City somehow found themselves behind as ANDREW HUNTER grabbed his second with a dipping volley which caught out Lenny Wilson, nestling into the corner.

It was to get worse for City as just a couple of minutes after the goal, Nathan Cooney went off with what appeared to be an ankle injury, with Kevin McHattie taking his place in defence.

Hunter was on for a hat-trick and his free kick from 20 yards was fumbled by Wilson who managed to gather at the second attempt.

City looked to get themselves back into the game with McDonald firing a volley over before Jamie Bain very nearly grabbed his first City goal in style when his 30 yard strike cannoned off the underside of the bar.

The visitors were quick to close City down and limit opportunities, with McDonald firing over on the stroke of half time.

With City behind at the break, Manager Andy Kirk made a change with Jordan Northcott replacing Ewan Loudon in midfield.

A few minutes after the restart, McHattie fired wide from range before Northcott was just unable to make the right connection with Bain’s cross.

Shortly after the hour mark, City did manage to get themselves level through JORDAN NORTHCOTT. Marc Scott did well down the right hand side and he provided the cross for the substitute to head home from close range.

City had their tails up and McGrath’s header was kept out by Storrier in the Huntly goal, before Northcott struck the outside of the post just a minute later.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Marc Scott weaved his way through the visitors’ defence before his shot came back off the crossbar much to the despair of the home support.

Kieran Inglis replaced Fraser MacLeod on 78 minutes as City looked for a way through against a Huntly side who were almost camped inside their own half.

Marc Scott had a snapshot tipped over the bar by Storrier, before Euan Spark headed over from Jamie Bain’s delivery.

With four minutes remaining, the Huntly keeper did well to push away a shot from McDonald and a minute later, Scott came inside from the right but his curling left footed effort flew inches past the far post.

City ultimately ran out of time in their search for a winner as their 19-game winning run came to an end – however the point ensured they stayed top of the league ahead of a huge fixture away to Brora Rangers at the weekend.

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