Carnoustie 3-2 Tayport

Hopes of a grandstand comeback were curtailed by the 84th minute dismissal of Stewart McConnachie, as both sides ended the contest with only ten men.

Midway through the first half Carnoustie opened the scoring when a clearance fell to Jamie McCabe, about 25 yards out, and Gavin Sorley could not deal with the first-time volley.

The Gowfers doubled their lead when Mark Smith found himself in possession at the edge of the Port box, and he deftly lofted the ball over Sorley to make it 2-0.

Carnoustie scored their third towards half-time. Bailey Steele delivered a cross from the right and was probably the most surprised player on the park when the ball eluded friend and foe alike, and ended up nestled in the visitors’ net.

Tayport had to make a good start to the second half and this they did. Dayle Robertson dispossessed centre-half Buggins eluded a defender and the outrushing ‘keeper to find himself in the clear and rolled the ball into an empty net.

The goal had quickly unsettled the home side and Liversedge soon passed up a chance, after Grant Paterson had set up the opportunity.

Panmure’s Buggins was then ordered off,for a second yellow, after crudely taking out Liversedge.

Paterson came close, but Cook hacked the ball off the line with his ‘keeper beaten, as ‘Port sensed the possibility of a comeback.

Ryan Suttie soon made his mark on the offensive front, scoring Tayport’s second, with a strong header from a free kick on the right.

Robertson could have levelled the tie, when McConnachie on the left squared the ball, but he blasted over the bar.

By this point, frustration was mounting and Tayport manager Charlie King was ordered from the dugout, then, moments later, McConnachie received a straight red.

Tayport: Sorley, Rollo, O’Brien, Mackie, Paterson, Gill, Anderson(Duffy), Suttie, McConnachie, Robertson, Liversedge.