Highland League round-up: Rothes beat Clach and Brechin City return to top spot after Banks O' Dee defeat
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It was a good Saturday for champions Brechin City in the Highland League title chase.
Gavin Price's side reclaimed top spot with a 5-1 win over Deveronvale while previous leaders Banks O' Dee went down 2-1 at Fraserburgh.
Fellow title chasers Buckie Thistle suffered a surprise loss at Lossiemouth to lose ground on the leading pack.
Deveronvale captain Harry Noble fired his team into the lead at Brechin but goals by Euan Spark, Murray Mackintosh and Lewis Martin had City 3-1 up at the break.
Seth Patrick and Danny Handling clinched the points for the home team.
Keith kept up their good form with a 2-1 success at bottom club Strathspey Thistle.
There was a first win in charge at Rothes for new manager Richard Hastings as the Speysiders edged out Clach 3-2.
A Jake Thomson penalty and a Gary Kerr effort had the home team 2-0 up at the break, and Bruce Milne's decision to postpone his retirement and help out the Speysiders saw the defender add a goal in the second half and make it 3-0.
Clach made Rothes work for the points as Connor Bunce (penalty) and Calum MacLeod pulled back two goals.
Goals by Scott Barbour and Aidan Sopel in the opening quarter set up Fraserburgh's win over Banks O' Dee, with Jevan Anderson pulling one back late on.
Formartine United struck a stoppage time winner against Huntly to keep their slim hopes alive.
Jonny Crawford put United ahead before Andy Hunter's 21st of the season tied things up with ten minutes to go.
Goal number 21 of the campaign by Formartine top scorer Julian Wade won the three points for the home side.
Forres Mechanics went down 1-0 to Brora Rangers at Mosset Park to a first half goal from former player Paul Brindle.
Inverurie Locos continued their good run of results, winning 3-1 at home to Wick Academy.
Nathan meres and Mark Souter gave Locos a 2-0 interval lead, Sean Campbell pulled one back before teenage sub Blair Smith sealed the home win in stoppage time.
Goals by Ciaran Young (pen), Aaron Nicolson and Harry Hennem sealed a 3-1 win for Nairn County at Turriff United, who had equalised through Jack McKenzie.
