Tayport 1-2 Arniston Rangers

The hosts made a positive start to the match and twice came close to opening the scoring.

Gary Sutherland latched onto a poor defensive header by Arniston full-back David Jeffrey, but the striker’s first-time, left-footed effort was pushed away by ‘keeper Dale Cornet.

Cornet then made a near post save from Alan Tulleth, who had burst into the penalty box. Moments later, Arnie opened the scoring in their first attack of the game.

Following a scramble in the area, a goalbound shot appeared to have been cleared off the line, only for the assistant referee to signal a goal, much to the consternation of the home team.

‘Port should have levelled matters on twenty minutes. A right-wing cross found Gary Sutherland, who cushioned a header towards fellow front-man Dale Reid. From point-blank range, Reid’s glancing header was cleared.

On the half hour, Alan Tulleth tried his luck from the edge of the box and Reid diverted the ball on target with a diving header, only for Cornet to produce another excellent stop.

Early Tayport pressure lead to a quick equaliser, two minutes into the second half. Tulleth cut the ball back for Dale Reid and he converted from close in, for his 21 goal of the season.

Midway through the half, things began to unravel.

Arniston broke forward and an incident in the box saw Jamie Mackie red-carded and Arnie awarded a penalty which was converted by Greig Callaghan. With ten minutes remaining, after some confusion, Craig Sturrock was shown a second yellow card and he joined Mackie in the dressing room.

In attempting to run down the clock, the visitors took the ball into the corner and Sergio Alvarez found himself dismissed for swinging a leg at an opponent.

Tayport - Sorley, Mackie, Robertson (Paterson), Ovenstone, Sturrock, Ogg, Christie, Alvarez, Tulleth, Sutherland, Reid.