Thomas Borthwick and Alexander Michie combined to dramatic effect to conjure up Kingussie’s late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore at the Eilan.
Borthwick and Michie have recently returned after spending almost three years between them side-lined through serious injury.
It looked as if ‘More might extend their lead at the top of the table when Iain Robinson and Craig Macleod amassed a two-goal lead going into the final eight minutes of the derby but Ruaridh Anderson raced forward to half the deficit and spark the comeback.
Then, with just a minute remaining, Thomas Borthwick’s corner from the left was turned home from a tight angle on the right by Michie to ensure a share of the points.
Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick said: “What a way to get an equaliser.
“I did not expect that. The boys didn’t appear to be in the game at all until the last 10 minutes and we only looked like a team during the final five minutes.
“We didn’t give up until that final whistle and that’s a positive I’ll take.
“One point is better than no points but it’s also a lesson that we should never become too complacent.
“We now need to regroup and concentrate and be game ready for Saturday’s MacTavish final against Skye.”
Matheson proud of display
Lovat were 2-0 derby winners against Beauly with strikes from Calum MacAulay in the first half and Duncan Davidson after the interval made the difference.
Lovat manager Jamie Matheson said: “That’s the best we’ve played this season.
“We had the wind in the first half and created plenty chances and even although Beauly came at us after the restart, we weathered it really well and then looked like scoring again.”
Oban Camanachd go third but their 5-0 win at Glasgow Mid Argyll was marred by a suspected broken finger suffered late in the game by key defender Daniel Sloss.
Manager Gareth Evans said: “I thought we played some really good stuff in the first half and we switched things around after that.
“We are definitely in there fighting for the title and an innocuous challenge on Daniel Sloss was the only blight on the day.”
Malcolm Clark and Daniel MacVicar both bagged braces with Daniel Cameron getting the other.
Skye Camanachd gave their survival chances a huge boost with a terrific 5-1 win at Caberfeidh.
In what was described by manager Kenny MacLeod as an “excellent performance”, Skye led 3-0 through James Pringle, Jordan Murchison and Ruaraidh MacLeod.
Craig Morrison countered on the hour with his customary goal, but Pringle and Murchison scored again before Caberfeidh’s Liam Symonds was red-carded.
Kyles Athletic secured the only remaining place in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup quarter-finals, but they had to come from behind to defeat lower league Bute 4-1 at Tighnabruaich.
Scott Harvey beat stand-in keeper Innes Macdonald from the penalty spot to put the Islanders ahead.
Macdonald was just back after having the cast removed from a broken hand during the week and played in goal in place of broken wrist victim John Whyte.
However, Finan Kennedy levelled before Roddy Macdonald scored twice, either side of Ross Macrae’s effort. Kyles host Lovat in the quarters.
Kilmallie beat Col Glen 3-1 in the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup quarter-finals.
Col Glen led through Sandy Paterson but Lewis Birrell levelled early in the second half before Stephen McAlister scored twice in four minutes to send Kilmallie through.
It took extra-time to settle the other two ties.
Oban Celtic came from behind to draw 3-3 with Lochaber after 90 minutes. Daniel MacMillan’s double and David Hill’s goal counted for Celtic but Ben Delaney’s hat-trick and efforts from Duncan MacKinnon and Findlay MacDonald gave Lochaber a 5-3 win.
Inveraray won 4-2 against Glenurquhart. Christopher Mack and Oliver Black had the Glen two up at the break, but Inveraray responded as Fraser Watt scored twice with Allan MacDonald and Campbell Watt getting the others.
Referee Les Kinvig sent off Inveraray’s Calum MacDonald and Glen’s Daniel MacLean following an altercation.
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