Closing in on an elite band of Highland League goal centurions.

Huntly striker Angus Grant may be some way off from full fitness after two major knee operations, but his latest comeback is gathering some pace.

A goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Forres Mechanics certainly pushed things in the right direction.

The 28-year-old former Highland League player of the year is getting near to 100 goals in north football, a big milestone that could be so much more but for some horrendous luck on the injury front.

In 2021 he ruptured both the main ligaments in his right knee during a cup-tie aganst Formartine United.

Grant needed reconstructive surgery on both his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments.

Huntly helped pay for his surgery and he was out of action for a year and spent the next 12 months of his life battling back to fitness.

The comeback was hugely successful, as he returned to scored 31 goals in an incredible 2024-25 campaign where he wwas voted Highland League player of the year..

Last year he sustained ligament damage on the same knee but is working his way back

It was the same knee that needed both ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligament) operations in 2021, putting him out of action for more than a year.

This time it was his meniscus (cartilage) that was torn, and more straightforward surgery required, but he has still missed ten months of action.

“Five goals is good. Goals are fine, because I know once I can get myself fully fit, I know I'll score goals.

“It’s more just getting myself able to play more minutes and coming through sort of pain-free.”

Dylan Shaw gave Huntly a second minute lead before Calum Frame’s quickfire double left the visitors chasing the game.

In the final 15 minutes, Grant - who had only been recently introduced as a sub - struck in emphatic fashion on 77 minutes.

“There were a couple of neat and tidy touches in the box, and I've just gotten a left footed shot away into the corner of the net.

“At that point you're looking to probably go and win the game and we maybe a couple of chances here and there, but so did Forres.”

Grant is delighted to have five goals to his name, so early into his comeback.

“I know I'll score goals, but it's more just getting myself able to play more minutes right now, and coming through sort of pain-free.

“Goals are definitely the secondary thing at the moment. However, as a striker, it's obviously still nice to get them.”

Four more will put Grant in the Highland League 100-goal club.

“I think it's 96 at the moment. It was 30 at Turriff and it'll be 66 now at Huntly so I’m nearly there.

“It's definitely something I've got on my sights for sure.”

Grant has League 2 Dumbarton in his sights this weekend, as Huntly make the Scottish Cup journey south.

“These are the games you want to be playing in, the competitions you want to be scoring in, you want to see your name on the Scottish Cup Facebook and all that, with the goal tallies.

“We’re always looking forward to big games like this.”