Football news: Late goal denies Turriff share of the top spot

TURRIFF United missed the chance to move level at the top of the Highland League after a 2-2 draw at Huntly. Russell Guild headed Huntly in front after seven minutes but Dean Cowie levelled early in the second half. Gary Harris restored Turriff's lead on 83 minutes but a last-gasp Paul Young goal levelled the match.

Inverurie Locos leapfrogged Turriff into second place, a point behind Buckie Thistle, with a 2-0 home win over Fraserburgh. John Maitland and Neil Gauld scored.

Massey back on duty

Sian Massey returned to action yesterday for the first time since she was the subject of controversial comments from former television pundit Andy Gray.

Gray and presenter Richard Keys lost their jobs with Sky after making off-air sexist remarks about the 25-year-old assistant referee before the Barclays Premier League game between Liverpool and Wolves last month.

She was not expected to make a return until next week but was running the line at the npower League Two match between Chesterfield and Aldershot at the B2net Stadium.

Driver absent as Hearts hit five

Andrew Driver was a notable absentee as Hearts romped to a 5-1 friendly win over East Fife at Bayview. Manager Jim Jefferies had hoped to give the winger a start after his long injury lay-off after knee surgery and then a thigh-muscle tear. But it was decided not to risk him.

David Templeton, Jamie Mole, Ryan Stevenson, Gary Glen and Danny Thomson were all on target before Bobby Linn scored a late consolation. Gary Locke, Hearts coach, said: "It was a good work-out for us. It was great that two or three first-team boys got a game and pleasing to see different names on the score sheet."

New date for Perth cup tie

St JOHNSTONE'S Scottish Cup fifth-round clash against Partick Thistle was postponed yesterday because of a waterlogged pitch. Match referee Stevie O'Reilly carried out a 10am inspection and deemed areas of the pitch unplayable. The match has been rescheduled for Tuesday night with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Tug of war for Blackpool's Phillips

Scotland manager Craig Levein's hopes of persuading Matt Phillips to switch allegiance have been dented after the highly-rated Blackpool winger was promoted to the England Under-20 squad for the first time.

Aylesbury-born Phillips, who qualifies to play for Scotland through a grandparent, is on Levein's radar.