Title in sight for Cove

COVE Rangers moved to within 90 minutes of title glory – with the help of 11 minutes of stoppage time, writes Alasdair Fraser.

There was disbelief at the performance of inexperienced referee Caryl Potten as Kevin Tindal's crucial winner against Clach arrived a full eight minutes into injury-time.

Nine players were booked and Clach's Neil McCuish was sent off as the frustration of both sets of players built, with a goal by Cove's Eric Watson also ruled out for a dubious offside.

A home win against strugglers Lossiemouth will now seal Cove's first title in seven years, and only the second in their history.

But remaining challengers Keith and Deveronvale also face the pressure of trying to win midweek games before then.

Keith kept up their challenge with a 4-1 win against Wick, Derek Smith scoring twice between goals for Martin Wood and a Jamie Lennox penalty.

A superb Graham Johnston hat-trick for Fraserburgh put paid to Buckie Thistle's slim title hopes in a 3-0 win at Bellslea Park.