Elgin City 1 Peterhead 1: Ten man City confirm League 2 safety despite Peterhead’s last-gasp equaliser in Borough Briggs derby
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Ten man Elgin City guaranteed their League 2 safety with a battling draw against Peterhead, the visitors equalising in the 90th minute.
The point, combined with Clyde’s 2-2 draw at champions Stenhousemuir meant that Elgin can’t finish in bottom spot for the relegation play-off.
City boss Alan Hale was without defensive duo Owen Cairns and Jake Dolzanski due to suspension but Dajon Golding was back up front for the Black and Whites.
Mark Gallagher tested Peterhead keeper Stuart McKenzie from the edge of the box on two minutes.
At the other end, good play by Peter Pawlett created a chance at the near post for Jason Brown but his effort forced a fine reflex save from Tom McHale.
Elgin opened the scoring from a Russell Dingwall corner which was met by Ross Draper at the near post and his header flashed into the net inside the post.
Draper was the man scored the goal that confirmed City’s league safety last season and the home side were hoping that history would repeat itself.
Hamish Ritchie fired over for the visitor while Dingwall looked dangerous cutting in from the right for a netbound strike which glanced off a defender and went wide on 25 minutes.
Former Elgin man Conor O’Keefe looked lively against his old team and nearly netted from a clearance by his goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie, sending a long range half volley close to the target on 37 minutes.
Three minutes later O’Keefe had the ball in the net after rounding McHale but his celebration was cut short by an offside flag.
Peterhead’s Jason Brown and Pawlett were booked for late challenges while a harsh yellow for Elgin’s Keith Bray when he appeared to be fouled himself sparked a reaction from City manager Allan Hale, who was also booked.
McKenzie twice denied Golding a second goal four minutes after the break, diving left on both occasions in quick succession to push away efforts from the striker.
Bray’s disputed yellow card was to prove costly on 56 minutes when the Caley Thistle teenager fouled again and was given a second caution and dismissed.
Peterhead had a loud penalty appeal on 63 minutes when her went down under a Draper challenge but the referee refused his appeals.
The home side were on the back foot after that but battled manfully to frustrate Peterhead and restrict their chances.
Player boss Jordon Brown missed a great chance on 86 minutes, nodding wide from six yards out.
Just when it looked like the ten men would hold out, Peter Pawlett headed home a Peterhead leveller right at the death to deny City victory.
Elgin: McHale, Bray, Draper, Ewan, Booth, Gallagher (MacLeman 88), Dingwall, Cameron, Taylor, Golding (Jones 83), Dangana (Jamieson 79).
Subs: Kelly
Peterhead: McKenzie, Goldie, Jason Brown (McCarthy 65), R Strachan, Duffy (Armstrong 34), Pawlett, Jack Brown (Ross 85), Ritchie, O’Keefe, Ward (Jordon Brown 72), Stewart.
Subs: D Strachan, Wilson, McAllister, Wood.
Ref: Daniel Graves
Att: 831
