Ross Anderson repeated his Aberdeenshire Shield final header in the win against Banks o’ Dee by scoring the only goal of the game to floor his former team Turriff United at the Haughs.
This was a big three points for the visitors, acknowledged by a relieved manager Scott Buchan who said: “We were under a bit of pressure but handled it brilliantly. There were a few close calls but we were really good at clearing our lines as well as winning tackles and headers when the pressure was on.
“Turriff were denied a stonewall penalty when David Booth was brought down in our box late on but I didn’t have a good view of the one they were claiming in the first half.
“I believe it was for handball against Gordon Forsyth.
“We needed that bit of luck and we dug in, working hard for the result.
“The referee made an error in the first half by not sending Turriff’s Cammy Booth off as his second challenge was identical to the one he was been booked for.
“Taking a chance in front of goal won us the points. We’re very dangerous with our set pieces and scoring goals off them.”
Apart from an Anderson header and a follow-up shot by Jordan Leyden both being cleared off the line, the major first half talking points was Forsyth’s handball for the penalty, whether it was intentional or not, and if Turriff should have gone in at the interval with 10 or 11 men after midfielder Cammy Booth escaped a second yellow card for again tugging an opponent’s shirt.
Although Turriff manager Ross Jack took midfielder Booth off and replaced him with Aaron McKenna at the restart it was Locos who took hold of the game.
Martin Bavidge and Neil McLean were pulling the strings, Colin Charlesworth going closest with a right-footed shot.
Anderson broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when he powered home his header from Leyden’s inswinging corner from the right and Locos almost followed it up with a second goal with goalkeeper Kevin Main saving a flick header by Joe McCabe
The home side started to push their rivals back with David Booth close to a McKenna cross and the same player then forced young goalkeeper Ryan Booth to touch a shot on to his post.
Turriff captain Cammy Bowden said: “We’re really disappointed with the result as it was quite an even game. Both teams had spells of pressure but when Locos had their spell they took their chance.
“Unfortunately for me my former team-mate Ross Anderson got in behind me and buried his header away.
“What was missing for us was that extra bit of quality needed to stick the ball in the net.
“We’ve been on a really good winning run so need to regroup for a very tough next game at Brora Rangers on Saturday.”