Goal dispute fails to mar Elgin win
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A goalscorer dispute failed to overshadow Elgin City’s fine performance as they won 2-0 at home to Arbroath on Saturday.
Craig Gunn and Dylan Easton both claimed the first City strike while Brian Cameron definitely scored the second late on.
What wasn’t in dispute was that City won on merit, as Gunn also hit the woodwork three times and Arbroath’s goalkeeper made two superb saves.
City got off to a great start when Marc McKenzie’s cross was slid goalwards by Gunn, with Easton racing in on the goal-line to make sure.
The Borough Briggs stadium announcer gave the goal to Gunn, who later claimed the strike was his.
But Easton staked his own claim, saying: “I think ‘Gunny’ won’t be happy with my goal but I nicked it off him.
“It’s definitely mine and you’ll see on the highlights it was mine. Hopefully there’s more to come.”
Easton was given the sponsors man of the match award but Gunn was a real comntender as he ran the Arbroath defence ragged.
Two minutes after the opening goal he headed against the crossbar, while a side-footed effort just before the hour mark struck the inside of the post and was gathered by the keeper.
Gunn must have been cursing his luck when another header was cleared off the line and his follow-up shot smacked off the bar, the third time he hit the woodwork.
The striker was also denied by a superb Allan Fleming save, and the away keeper also produced a breath-taking stop to turn away sub Connor McLaren’s powerful 25 yard blast.
However on 81 minutes City’s dominance finally paid off as Gunn turned provider with a cross from the right for Cameron to score with a header on the run.
Elgin assistant boss Gavin Price said: “We are back to playing a similar way to what we were at the start of the season.
“We were trying to focus on what we are strong at and what the players are familiar with.”
More Elgin City stories:
City to miss Duff with Raith tie on horizon
Elgin draw Raith in Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup action from Borough Briggs
Last minute winner sees Elgin go through
Elsewhere in Moray, Forres Mechanics’ Scottish Cup hopes were ended by a 3-2 replay defeat at home to East Kilbride.
Two early goals for the visitors left Mechanics with a tough task, though Craig McGovern’s header got one back before half time.
A third East Kilbride goal seemed to kill it and even with Dachi Khutsishvili pulling one back in stoppage time, Forres were eased out.
In the Highland League, Lossiemouth climbed up to sixth spot with a 2-0 win away to Buckie Thistle.
Jags had player assistant Lewis Mackinnon sent off in the early minutes, a red card for the second weekend running.
But unlike their battling comeback at Edinburgh City in the cup, Buckie could not overcome their player disadvantage against the Coasters.
Joao Rodrigues netted for the second week running on the stroke of half time to put Lossie in front.
And Ryan Farquhar sealed a superb win with a goal in the last minute.
Keith also picked up a fine 2-0 win at home to Deveronvale, Craig Cormack and Mike Ewen getting the goals for the managerless Maroons.
Also in the Scottish Cup, Fraserburgh won 3-2 at Turriff thanks to a last minute winner and will now visit Championship Falkirk in the third round.
Wick thumped Nairn 5-1 in their replay while the Fort William v Cove tie was postponed and will now go ahead on Monday.
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