COVE COMEBACK IS BRAWL RIGHT.

Byline: CALUM MacLEOD reports

COVE RANGERS 2

DEVERONVALE 1

TEN-MAN Cove battled back from a goal down to grab victory in a fiery clash that erupted after just three minutes.

Cove's Kevin Tindal sparked a huge on-field bust-up when he scythed down Keith Robertson then tried to haul him back to his feet.

Tindal and Deveronvale duo Bryan Dlugonski and Mark Chisholm all copped yellow cards - but Cove didn't get off lightly as Eric Watson was sent off for his part in the melee.

Vale took full advantage and grabbed the lead in 19 minutes when Michael Ewen's lob hit the post only to fall to Chisholm who netted the rebound.

But the game turned on its head when the home side scored twice in the space of a minute.

Defender Ritchie Livingstone crashed an unstoppable 30-yard shot into the left bottom corner in 39 minutes to level.

Then Barrie Stephen gave Vale keeper James Blanchard no chance with a swerving drive after he had been set up by Jake Strachan.

Deveronvale came out in the second half pushing hard for the equaliser and it took a wonder save from Cove keeper Windrum to tip away a Chisholm header. Full-back Clark Bain booted off the line as Robertson tried to smash in the rebound.

At the other end Paul Coutts cut in and sawhis shot saved by Blanchard.

The Banffers were reduced to 10 men with 20 minutes to go when centre-half Scott Fraser received two bookings in quick succession.

Cove boss Don Sheran said: "The football we played with 10 against 11 was superb.

"The goal from Barrie was great while I am also pleased for Livvy because he has not been scoring enough."

Vale manager Greg Carl added: "The early sending off had an impact but you cannot afford to switch off against Cove."

CAPTION(S):

It's all kicking off: Players from Cove and Deveronvale get stuck in; What a cracker: Ritchie Livingstone (right) celebrates after his thunderbolt put Cove Rangers level against Deveronvale