Wick pay the penalty in North Derby defeat
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Scottish Highland Football League
Wick Academy 2 Brora Rangers 3
Scorers: Halliday (30) Macadie (52 pen) Brora: Maclean (17) Brindle (41) Graham (75 pen)
IT was a five goal thriller in the North Derby but Brora Rangers once again came out on top as Scott Graham's penalty proved to be the difference.
Wick Academy haven't beaten the Cattachs in the league since 2012 but showed plenty of spirit in a classic encounter.
The Scorries started off brightest as Steven Anderson went close with two chances, one saved by goalkeeper Cameron Mackay while the other went inches wide of the post.
Brora took the lead after 17 minutes from a corner kick when Paul Brindle saw his header blocked by Sean McCarthy but Martin Maclean pounced to nod the rebound in the net.
Wick levelled on the half hour mark after clearing a Brora corner kick and launched a counter attack where Richard Macadie's cross found Jack Halliday unchallenged in the box and he thundered his shot into the top right corner from 12 yards.
But the visitors regained the lead four minutes from half time when sloppy defending from Academy allowed Scott Graham's pass to go straight through and find Paul Brindle who charged into the box before firing past McCarthy.
Brora should have went 3-1 ahead before half time when Maclean's cross to the edge of the six yard box found Brindle but he somehow fired wide.
Academy drew level again seven minutes into the second half when a sloppy handball from Steven Mackay awarded the hosts a penalty.
Macadie showed why he is the spot-kick specialist by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to bring the game level.
Wick almost took the lead midway through the second half when in an excellent passage of play, Gary Manson teed up Sam Mackay at the edge of the box but his shot was well saved by Mackay.
The decisive moment of the game came 15 minutes from time when Danny Mackay fouled Scott Graham in the box with a sliding tackle leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty.
Graham sent McCarthy the wrong way to give Brora all three points.
