Carnoustie still six points ahead after Tayport win

Dominant Carnoustie matched the threat posed by in-form Tayport and then some at Laing Park.

Only a few minutes in, Steven McPhee had a great chance to put Carnoustie ahead but his shot was saved by Tayport keeper Craig Hepburn.

A cross into the box by Connor Coupe was another early opportunity for Carnoustie but Jamie Hume easily cleared.

Despite the home side dominating the game, Tayport still had some chances of their own. Ryan Paterson’s free kick flew over the wall but was an easy catch for Carnoustie keeper Jamie Robbie.

Carnoustie got their first goal 15 minutes in when Dale Reid chipped the ball into the net.

Seven minutes later Carnoustie doubled their lead when Ryan Dignan controlled the ball into the box and slipped it past Hepburn.

Carnoustie were controlling the game and a McPhee cross was hit out for corner by Hepburn.

Winter took the corner but Gill made a powerful clearance from the Tayport box.

A cross from Coupe found Reid in the box who headed the ball into the net, making it 3-0 to the home side.

Tayport still continued to fight despite having conceded three goals.

A couple of Paterson free kicks were great chances but the first one went too wide of the post. The second fell into the box where it found Daniel Dorovic who took his own shot but it went too high over the crossbar.

Just before half time, Carnoustie got their fourth goal.

Sam Simpson showed skill by easily slipping the ball past Hepburn and into the net.

Tayport tried to eat into the lead and a Louis Joyce free-kick fell into the box but Coupe was there to header it away.

Gill’s fantastic long throw in also went into the box but again the ball was cleared by Carnoustie’s solid defence.

Reid’s powerful strike from the edge of the box in the 76th minute made the score 5-0 and gave the forward his hat trick.

In the closing seconds of the game Tayport’s Fraser was sent off.