Black backs Cove to climb Highland ladder

RODDY Black believes Cove Rangers can climb the Highland League ladder - after rescuing a point with a double against Inverurie Locos.

The 32-year-old firefighter from Arbroath said: "It's early days yet, but we've got a strong team and belief and, hopefully, we will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season."

Neil Gauld and Jamie McKinnon put Locos 2-0 up before Black pulled one back in the 69th minute and added the equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.

Elsewhere, Huntly suffered a second consecutive defeat in a 3-1 home loss to Keith. Deveronvale again slumped to a heavy defeat, losing 3-0 at home to Clach, while Buckie Thistle were shock 2-1 losers at Brora.

Keith took an early lead in the table after that win at Huntly, and Lossiemouth sit behind them only on goal difference after sinking Nairn County 2-1 at home.

In the weekend's remaining games, Wick thrashed Strathspey 5-1, while Turriff edged hosts Fraserburgh 4-3. Forres and Rothes tied 1-1 while Formartine beat Fort William 3-1.