Champions look set to Loch up title; CARNOUSTIE 1 LOCHEE UTD 2.

Byline: JIM NICHOLSON reports

BATTLING Lochee closed the gap at the top to one point and now look odds on to secure a second successive title.

Goals from Paul Blackwood and Gary Middleton secured the win with Stuart Abbot on target for the home side.

The Super League champions have four games in hand over leaders Camelon and on yesterday's display must be considered favourites.

Relegation-threatened Carnoustie gave as good as they got in the opening stages but were caught with a sucker punch in 36 minutes.

The Gowfers defence sloppily allowed the unmarked Blackwood to head home a Lukas Krobot cross and give the visitors the lead.

But they hit back with an equaliser a minute into the second half Abbot converted Daryn Smith's cross.

A draw looked the likely outcome with little to separate the teams in a close-fought clash.

Lochee didn't give up though and snatched a winner in 77 minutes.

A long ball from Craig Robertson found Middleton as the home side called for offside.

The striker didn't wait to argue and raced through to slot home what could yet prove to be a vital goal.

The result now leaves Carnoustie facing an uphill battle to avoid the drop.

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Winner: Middleton celebrates goal