The trialist Kevin Buchan, 19, grabbed two second-half goals to earn Arbroath a draw with Highland League champions Brora Rangers in an entertaining pre-season friendly at Gayfield on Saturday.
The Red Lichties made a bright start with Bobby Linn cracking a shot against an upright in the fourth minute, while Simon Murray clipped the rebound on to the top of the Brora bar.
The visitors were looking lively, however, and there was little surprise when they took the lead just after the half-hour mark.
Adam Hunter gave the ball away in midfield and his attempt to retrieve the situation ended with Brora’s Zander Sutherland being fouled on the edge of the Lichties box.
Gavin Morrison fired the free-kick past home keeper David Crawford.
It took Arbroath until the 61st minute to equalise, Paul McManus cutting the ball into the path of Buchan, who curled a wonderful shot high into the far corner of Joe Malin’s net.
Brora regained the lead in the 78th minute, Colin Williamson slotting home from close range after good work on the left by Ross Tokley.
Buchan grabbed his second by heading home a Chris Scott cross with just two minutes remaining.
The Highlanders almost secured victory seconds from the end when a Colin MacLean header bounced off the post and was cleared off the line by Ricky Little, then Sutherland forced Lichties substitute keeper Scott Morrison to pull off a good save.