Highland: Injury-hit Nairn still in title race

County remain six points behind leaders Wick, with three games in hand, after a stirring comeback victory over Deveronvale, but Duncanson is refusing to look too far ahead with Nairn’s tight squad stretched to the limits amid a frantic spell of action.

The striker admitted: “It is tough playing Saturday/Wednesdays, but if we are still in the mix after the next four or five games, we’ll see where we go from there. Today we were missing top scorer Conor Gethins with flu, but John Cameron came in and did well. We work with a small squad. The manager, Les Fridge, always goes for quality over quantity. It’s a good squad, so if we keep injury-free and get the luck of the draw, then who knows?”

Martin Charlesworth’s third minute penalty sent Vale ahead after the Banff hitman was tripped in the box by Nairn’s Glenn Main. Nairn’s leveller came just before the hour when Dave Watson’s strike was deflected for an own goal by Vale full-back Kyle Rae. With eight minutes left, John Cameron swept home the  winner.

Wick stayed clear at the top with a 3-1 home triumph over last season’s champions, Forres Mechanics.

Cove smashed six past bottom side Fort William to remain two points behind with a game in hand. Challengers Clach knocked five past Strathspey Thistle, Huntly won 3-0 at Buckie, while Dale Gillespie’s late goal gave Brora a 2-1 home win over Inverurie.