Sauchie Juniors…2

Tayport…1

SAUCHIE were forced to come from behind as a late Darren Cummings penalty saw them overcome a stuffy Tayport side at Beechwood Park on Saturday.

Dale Reid had given the visitors the lead just before half time, but Josh Flood equalised in the second half before Cummings’ late spot-kick gave the Juniors all three points and their title chances a much-needed boost.

The first chance of the game fell to Steven Higgins, the striker latching onto a poor clearance and racing in on goal, but he was stopped by a great piece of defending.

Sauchie suffered a major blow just moments later as Iain Syme, just five minutes into his return from injury, tweaked the same hamstring which kept him out for a number of weeks, prompting a reshuffle from manager Fraser Duncan.

It was a fairly even first quarter with chances at both ends, Jamie Mackie sending a shot over the crossbar while Sauchie skipper Brian Morgan did the same with a free kick at the other end.

Stuart Walton fizzed a shot just wide of Darren Dolan’s post from all of 30 yards out, with the Sauchie keeper stranded.

Flood was having a superb game out on the left and a driving run from the winger almost brought the opening goal. He dinked the ball over Gavin Sorley and it looked to be going in until Craig Sturrock got back to hook it off the line and over the bar.

That would prove to be a costly missed chance as minutes later, Sauchie fell behind. There looked to be no danger at all as Dolan came to catch a high ball under very little pressure, but he inexplicably dropped the ball at the feet of Reid, who had the easiest of tasks to roll it into the unguarded net.

The keeper went some way to making amends when he prevented Reid from adding his second with a terrific save, while his opposite number Sorley also made a fine stop to keep Higgins out from point-blank range as the half drew to a close.

Sauchie were on the front foot at the start of the second half and Martyn Shields should have levelled the scores, the midfielder blazing over the top after making a late run to reach Morgan’s cutback.

But the equaliser did arrive soon after, and it was the impressive Flood who got it. Higgins did well to beat his man down the right and square for the former Stirling Albion winger, who made no mistake as he lashed the ball home.

That really got Sauchie’s tails up and they could have taken the lead minutes later, Oliver Fleming stabbing over the bar as he stretched to reach a corner.

Tayport weren’t out of it and Gary Sutherland will endure many sleepless nights after he somehow sliced over from no more than three yards out.

And the striker’s profligacy was punished in full with just a few minutes remaining as Sauchie finally got their noses in front. Ant McTaggart was hauled down as he drove into the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Darren Cummings stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to put his side in the driving seat and rekindle their title charge.

There was a late scare as Alan Tulleth sent a free kick sailing a couple of inches wide of Dolan’s post, but Sauchie held on to record a vital win and keep their hopes of finishing top of the pile very much alive.

Sauchie Juniors: D. Dolan, McCulloch, Syme (Fleming), Tapping, Trialist, McTaggart, Morgan (Millar), Shields, Morrison, Flood, Higgins (Cummings). Not used: Shirra, Hutchison.