Carnoustie boss hails side’s desire and play

Gowfers overcome difficulties to record fine victory at Penicuik Athletic

Carnoustie boss Alan McSkimming hailed his side’s 2-0 victory at Penicuik Athletic.

It was the Gowfers’ first victory there for many years and achieved despite several problems, not least a depleted squad with eight players missing.

McSkimming said: “I felt we were hungrier, sharper and definitely wanted it more, playing some really good football, and were in control for lengthy periods.

“We have lost only two league games out of the last 16, so this result was no fluke and reflects how well we have been playing.”

The home side had their keeper Connor Easton to thank, after two terrific saves, for not going in two down at the break.

Sam Simpson scored the first from a penalty four minutes into the second half.

The second, scored by Robert Urquhart, came just after the hour mark.

It was only more heroics by the keeper that prevented the winning margin being wider.

Broughty Athletic were glad of a point after struggling Newtongrange Star proved difficult opponents at Whitton Park

The Lothian outfit went ahead after 24 minutes thanks to a well-taken freekick.

But four minutes later it was allsquare courtesy of an own goal.

On 32 minutes Shaka Roy prodded home to put the Fed in front.

The visitors were awarded a penalty a minute later but Iain Ross made a great save to preserve their advantage.

Despite the missed penalty, Newtongrange had by far the better of the second half and were rewarded with a late equaliser which no one could begrudge them.

Dundonald Bluebell’s excellent first Super League campaign continued with a 3-1 home win over Musselburgh moving them up to fourth.

Goals from Graeme Walker, Barry Sibanda and Ross Lennie put them three up early in the second half.

With the Musselburgh goals coming four minutes from time, it was only of consolation value.

Jeanfield Swifts’ hopes of staying up suffered a blow after a goalless draw with Lochee United at the Riverside.

In an otherwise fairly drab affair, the Perth side were twice denied by fine saves by Bluebells’ keeper Mark Fotheringham.

After denying Steve McManus in the first half, he produced another topdrawer stop from Keith Dewar midway through the second period.

Although the visitors were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes, when Paul Lunan was sent off, Swifts couldn’t make the breakthrough.