THE Musk were back at Deer Park for the first time in four weeks when Grammar FPs came calling in a league encounter.

With Grammar claiming full points from their hosts last season combined with Monymusk currently holding an 11 point gap over their opponents, it promised to be a closely fought encounter.

The home side was forced into one change from the previous week with Russell Gibson returning from offshore to replace the unavailable Kenneth Akroyd in between the posts. They also welcomed back Liam Barron from illness as he took his place on the substitutes' bench.

Monymusk created the first chance of the match but Kevin Beaton could only fire over after good approach play from Geo Mackie. Again The Musk pushed forward and they should have been in front after ten minutes when Beaton raced clear from a slack pass but the visiting keeper smothered well with the resulting corner proving fruitless.

Grammar then came into he match and found some joy in midfield and were in front after 20 minutes.

Some nice build up work down the Musk left, along with some defensive play right out of the Jimmy Calderwood training manual, resulted in an unchallenged run and cross from the by-line and a free header from inside the six yard box to give the visitors the lead.

They almost doubled this soon after but home number one Gibson blocked well. Back came Monymusk though and skipper Chris Wood was next to have a golden chance after bursting clean through but he failed in his bid to lob the keeper who parried wide.

The Musk kept pushing and lovely through ball allowed Beaton another chance but he could only lift over under pressure from the visiting number one who was turning out to be a thorn in Monymusk's attacking moves.

These chances were to prove costly shortly before the interval when the Grammar right winger unleashed a superbstrike from distance in off the crossbar to put his side two goals in front at the break.

Manager George Mackie kept faith with the starting XI. giving them ten minutes to prove they were up to the challenge of getting back into the match.

And they heeded the warning as within five minutes of the restart a lovely run down the inside left channel from Michael McAtarsney allowed him to find Chris Wood who had the simple task of stroking home into an empty net to cut the deficit.

The Musk were fired up and only some solid handling from the Grammar keeper in difficult conditions kept his side in front. The visiting team were happy to play on the break and this almost worked a treat but again Gibson saved well in the home goal.

The Musk made their first change on the hour with the more attacking Ross Mackie coming on for Ross Hay. This seemed to galvanise the home side some more and after some good work the ball broke to Ryan Henderson in the box who was crudely taken down by a reckless challenge. Skipper Chris Wood expertly despatched the penalty to level the match.

It looked like there would be only one winner now but Gibson again saved well when Grammar countered with purpose. They had another chance but their striker hit the side netting when well placed.

The Musk again came forward and after another determined run from McAtarsney he was taken down from behind in the box, giving the referee no option but to point at the spot for a second time. Up stepped Chris Wood but his penalty was saved by the keeper before being cleared.

The manager then made his second change, sending on the predator Michael Howden for Beaton, who had failed to convert a few chances in the course of the game. And Howden was given a golden opportunity soon after but could only drag his shot well wide.

The Musk made a final change with Liam Barron replacing the tiring Phil Kelman who had yet another impressive performance.

With the match going into Injury time a draw looked on the cards until Wood found the run of super sub Michael Howden and he made no mistake in slotting past the keeper to give his side a vital victory in the promotion chase.

This was an excellent comeback by Monymusk who showed the grit and determination that has now seen them go on a five game unbeaten run.
Monymusk: Gibson, Kelman, G. Mackie, Smart, Riddell, Lyon, Henderson, Wood, McAtarsney, Beaton, Hay. Subs: Barron, Howden, Cruden, Russell, R. Mackie.

This Saturday (October 11) sees Monymusk embark on their latest Scottish Cup adventure with a trip to association newcomers Highland Hotel who are doing well at the top of Division Three at Beach Park, Balmedie. The game has a 2pm kick off.