Peterhead 1 - 1 Elgin City: Visitors take a share of the spoils

Published on 06/12/2012 01:37

PETERHEAD and Elgin City battled out a draw at the freezing Balmoor Stadium.

Stuart Leslie netted from close range on the hour to earn his side a share of the spoils, after David Cox had opened the scoring with his first goal for Peterhead.

Neither side threatened until the 19th minute. Peterhead’s Jamie Redman slipped the ball to Scott McLaughlin, who took the ball in his stride before thundering a 20-yard, left-footed drive off the outside of the post.

But the Balmoor men took the lead four minutes later. A patient move down the left saw the ball played to on-loan Alloa Athletic man Cox, and he angled an eight-yard strike past Gibson and into the far corner.

Elgin had struggled to test Peterhead goalkeeper Graeme Smith, but the former Rangers man did well to hold a 41st-minute Mark Nicolson header from Daniel Moore’s free-kick.

Elgin were first to threaten after the interval as Brian Cameron’s cross was met by Peterhead’s Redman, whose heart was in his mouth as he headed across his own goal.

That warning was not heeded by the Peterhead defence though and, on the hour, Leslie levelled the scores. Moore’s free-kick found the striker at the back post, and he steered a volley past Smith.

Both sides had chances to net a winner, McAllister lashing a low, left-footed shot inches wide of the right-hand upright.

With ten minutes to go Smith saved from Leslie at the near post.

Peterhead: G Smith, Cowie, Noble, R Smith, Ross, Strachan, Cox (Deasle y78), Redman, McAllister, Winters (Bavidge 61), McLaughlin. Subs not used: Alexander, Trialist, Jarvie

Elgin City: Gibson, Niven, McMullan (Millar 87), Crichton, Duff, Cameron (Harkins 81), Gunn (Wyness 75), O’Donoghue, Leslie, Nicolson, Moore. Subs not used: Beveridge, Black

Referee: I Brines.

Attendance: 225.