Buckie Thistle 1 Rothes 1: Title-chasing Jags are held by stubborn Speysiders
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BUCKIE Thistle dropped two points in the Highland League title race after being held to a 1-1 draw by Rothes at Victoria Park.
The battling Speysiders took the lead on 61 minutes through Aidan Wilson, but the Jags were level within 60 seconds thanks to Josh Peters.
League leaders Buckie put on some late pressure but were limited to few clear cut chances by a resilient Rothes rearguard.
The gap to second place Brechin City is now nine points, but the Angus side – who visit Victoria Park on the last day of the season – have four games in hand.
Jags manager Graeme Stewart praised his players for picking up seven points from nine against Banks O' Dee, Brora Rangers and Rothes.
"We wanted to win, but if you'd offered us seven points out of those three games we would have probably taken that," he said.
"We dominated the game and they defended brilliantly, they are a good team with a good manager.
"It was just one of those days where it didn't fall for us, but there were loads of positives.
"I've asked the same players to go to the well three times in a week, so I'm quite proud of them and happy.
"It could be a massive point at the end of the season. Hopefully we can go and win the rest of our games and maybe win the league."
Rothes – playing with five at the back – made it very difficult for Buckie, who dominated possession, to find space and create chances in the early phases of the game.
After a first quarter bereft of action, Andy MacAskill's mishit effort came back off the crossbar, before being calmly knocked back to his keeper Sean McCarthy by impressive Rothes captain Michael Finnis.
Cohen Ramsay went close for the home side on the half hour mark when he was played in by a neat MacAskill pass, but his shot was tipped wide by McCarthy.
Josh Peters picked the pocket of Ally Mackenzie a few minutes later before firing a shot which deflected out for a corner.
Buckie started the second half with far more intensity and centre-half Jack Murray almost scored on 55 minutes after going on a marauding run forward.
But it was the visitors who went ahead on 61 minutes when Aidan Wilson outmuscled Buckie defender Hamish Munro before slamming in his 16th goal of the campaign at the near post.
Conceding a goal sparked Buckie to life and the hosts were level within 60 seconds when Josh Peters touched and slammed a cutback in at the near post.
The Jags almost completed the turnaround on 68 minutes when Marcus Goodall sent his man to ground with a fake shot before letting fly, but his sidefooted effort was too close to McCarthy.
Rothes played well on the counter after half-time and a great run forward from Jake Thomson brought about a chance for Wilson, but he dragged his shot a couple of yards wide from 20 yards.
The final chance of the game fell the way of Andy MacAskill when he got on the end of Peters' cross in added time, but he took a touch too many and was blocked out.
Rothes manager Ross Jack said: "Considering the boys we had out, I was delighted with the point.
"Our game plan was to take the game to them and create chances, which we did. I thought we counter-attacked very well and thoroughly deserved the point."
