GOWFERS SURRENDER TWO-GOAL LEAD

Despite going two ahead in the first 23 minutes, the Gowfers conceded three goals in a 12-minute spell towards the end of the first half and eventually went down 4-2, thus retaining their unenviable record of never having beaten the Lothians club.

Manager Ian Flaherty made a couple of changes to the side that crashed to Hill of Beath Hawthorn the previous week.

Stuart Abbot was pushed forward into midfield with Steven Narey coming in to fill the vacant right-back slot and Kevin Steele dropping out of contention.

Bench spots were taken by Euan Hall, James Russell, James Collier, Grant Miller and new signing goalkeeper John McCafferty, who despite cricking his neck on the morning of the game was prepared to go on in an emergency.

Carnoustie kicked-off playing up a slight slope on a surface made soft by several days of heavy rain and facing a strong westerly wind.

In 18 minutes, Carnoustie took the lead with what the home side thought was a rather controversial counter.

Collecting the ball from a Craig throw-in on the left, BRAND fired in a low shot and with 'keeper Oliver possibly distracted by the inrushing Abbot, the ball ended up in the back of the net and the Gowfers were ahead.

In 23 minutes, the Gowfers doubled their lead and this time there was no doubt about the legality of the score. Brand took the ball forward on the right, then sent in a great cross to the back post where CUMMING rose to power a header back across the 'keeper's body into the left-hand corner of the net.

With half-an-hour on the watch, Rose got themselves back in the game after McArthur linked with Carrigan, whose fierce drive was turned round the post for a corner by Whyte. McDermott sent the kick right into the Gowfers' goalmouth and amidst a crowd of players, DONNELLY was first to react and stabbed the ball past Whyte from two yards.

Just three minutes after scoring their first goal, Linlithgow were level. As Rose surged forward again, Denham picked out the unmarked HERD, who lifted the ball over Whyte and into the net for the equaliser.

Linlithgow were now doing all the pressing and it was no surprise when they edged ahead in 42 minutes. Smith attempted to clear a Bradley free kick, but the ball fell to DICK, who fired an unstoppable shot past Whyte from all of 25 yards.

Linlithgow continued to press and in 52 minutes Herd won a corner on the right off Ogilvie. Bradley took the kick and found DONNELLY, who steadied himself just inside the box before thumping the ball past Whyte for his second of the match and his side's fourth.

A more detailed report will be available soon.