This seemed to give Balintore a boost as in the 19th minute, James Skinner broke into the box on the right and shot across Gray who saved well down to his left and then two minutes later Paul Skinner had a shot deflected wide for a corner which was cleared by Allan Sutherland.
In the seventeenth minute Thurso had a let off as Balintore had the ball in the net, only for the referee to rightly chop it off for several challenges on Thurso keeper Gray as he bravely attempted to collect the ball at the feet of the Balintore strikers.
As Balintore tried to get back into the game their top scorer Ewan Dance hit a shot from 25 yards which Gray collected comfortably.
Balintore almost got on terms with their first decent attack of the game which ended with Gordon Lowe's strike being kept out by a fine one-handed save from Brian Mackay.
Balintore's defence continued to come under sustained attack with the closing minutes seeing Cassidy having a shot booted of the line and Blumfield hitting the woodwork.
With most of the play in the Balintore half, it was no surprise when they fell behind after 20 minutes.
LATEST THURSO F.C NEWS Saturday 28th of April 2001 After taking an early lead through Alan Murray Thurso F.C lost 2-1 after extra time to Alness United in The Football Times Cup Semi-final.
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