Highland league: Champions Buckie learn of pressure success brings

CHRIS Angus hammered in a double against former club Huntly to bolster Buckie Thistle's bid for two titles in a row.

The 20-year-old defender, a joiner working for Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne's building firm, praised Buckie's unbreakable spirit. With the Jags having ended a 52-year wait for the championship last season, Angus believes every game this season has been a tougher test.

"Although we are top of the league games are a lot more difficult this season. We will have to raise our game every single week to keep this form going. There are a lot of good teams in the Highland League this year, but teams like Cove and Inverurie are dropping points so we've just got to keep our winning mentality strong."

Huntly started well and Peter Bruce cracked home the opener after only ten minutes. But Buckie replied just before half-time when Andy Low's shot was saved before Angus scored on the rebound.

The deserved winner came with three minutes remaining as Angus met a Stephen Bruce knock-down to clinch full points.

Elsewhere, Cove Rangers recovered some ground after poor form, beating Brora 2-0 in Sutherland. Inverurie Locos kept up their challenge, but only after a scrambled 3-2 victory over strugglers Rothes.

Turiff United slipped three points behind Buckie after losing out 2-1 away to Deveronvale, with Michele Lombardi hitting the home winner.

Unfancied Nairn County, meanwhile, are threatening to mount a title challenge after storming back from 2-0 down at Keith to win 3-2. Shaun Kerr sealed victory for Les Fridge's side who now sit sixth, seven points behind the leaders.

Formartine lost ground in the title race after crashing 4-0 at home to Forres. Fraserburgh were held to a 2-2 draw at home to lowly Strathspey, while Fort William's woes heightened after an 8-1 crushing at Wick.

Clach and Lossiemouth shared four goals in Inverness.