Carnoustie had to settle for a point from their trip to Downfield with a number of players feeling the effects of a virus that has gone through the camp.
Phil McGuire named the same side that had beaten Kirriemuir Thistle last weekend, although five players were missing from training on Thursday night due to illness with Danny Millar continuing alongside skipper Ryan Roche and Ryan Suttie.
The Gowfers got the perfect start with only 90 seconds on the clock through Gordon Macdonald and managed to keep The Spiders at bay through to half time.
Downfield got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty on 62 minutes after Ryan Suttie impeded Liam Mcartney in the box and the Spiders leading scorer made him pay by slotting home the spot kick.
A couple of minutes after Downfield levelled, former Gowfer Bruce Hearn appeared to pull down Dylan Stephen in the penalty area but the referee was having none of it and waved away Carnoustie appeals.
Downfield were reduced to ten men on 90 minutes when Mitch Hay was shown a red card for a nasty challenge on Dale Reid but Carnoustie couldn’t capitalise on their advantage in stoppage time with a number of players struggling.
A point away from home is not bad result against a Downfield side that have been flying in the Midlands League and who will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season
