An equaliser from Iain Nicolson earned Skye Camanachd a share of the points in the west coast derby against Lochcarron.
Skye fell behind in the opening minutes of the game when Peter MacKenzie played a ball forward which seemed to deceive the Skye defence and Ian MacKenzie took advantage to open the scoring.
After 32 minutes Somhairle MacDonald hit a terrific shot which looked goal-bound until Lochcarron keeper Michael MacMillan flew to his right to turn the ball round the post.
Three minutes later, Gregor Cushnie and Ian MacKenzie teamed up and Jamie Gannon in the Skye goal had to save well to prevent Lochcarron increasing their lead.
Seven minutes before the break, Gregor Cushnie fired a shot from the right off the Skye post but it was the visitors who had the last chance of the half when Somhairle MacDonald beat his marker but shot just wide.
Five minutes after the break, Lochcarron lost defender Angus MacKay and Ian MacKenzie dropped from the forward line to take his place in defence. Mackay ended up with his arm in a sling and it's hoped he makes a speedy recovery with the shinty / hurling international on the horizon.
On 57 minutes it was Skye's turn to lose a player through injury as Kenny Campbell left the field with a suspected broken finger. Danny Morrison took Campbell's place in the forward line and made a contribution, firing just off target on a couple of occasions.
Shocky MacLennan replaced Jamie MacDonald at wing centre on 63 minutes. After 76 minutes Rankin made a brilliant interception on the run and played a long ball forward to Ian Nicolson. Nicolson turned his marker and hit a magnificant 25 yard shot which MacMillan got his hand to but the keeper was beaten by the shear power of the shot.
Two minutes later a good Skye passing move ended with MacMillan saving well from Somhairle MacDonald. Manager Ally Morrison made a tactical change swapping half back Dougie Rankin and full centre AB Connor.
The last 5 minutes saw chances for both teams. A fine pass from Nicolson saw MacDonald shoot just wide for Skye. Jamie Gannon then saved well from Cushnie. Somhairle MacDonald fired just over the bar and Gannon again saved well with his foot.
Skye almost nicked the points in injury time when Somhairle MacDonald played a free hit to Dougie Rankin and as the ball broke back to MacDonald he sent ans effort wide of target.
Skye were well served by keeper Gannon and Steven Morrison who was outstanding at full back as well as Somhairle MacDonald who was always a threat in attack.
In the end both teams will feel that they could have sneaked a win but a share of the points was probably a fair result. This win keeps Lochcarron 2 points ahead of Skye with a game in hand whilst the islanders have just 2 games left - a home tie with Kilmallie and a visit to Glenurquhart.
Skye Camanachd from: Jamie Gannon, Steven Morrison, Dougie Rankin, John Moir, Alan MacLeod, Jamie MacDonald, (Shocky MacLennan), AB Connor, Kerr Gibb, Somhairle MacDonald, Alan Palmer, Ian Nicolson, Kenny Campbell (capt), (Danny Morrison), sub Ally MacLennan not used