Turriff had veteran goalkeeper Kevin Main to thank for an incredible added-time save from Steven Anderson as they jumped above opponents Wick Academy.
United manager Ross Jack was full of praise for the Scorries as well as recognising the contribution of his goalkeeper and said: “Kevin kept us in the game but I have to say all the positives go to Wick, their young team was excellent and their stand-in goalkeeper made some good saves as well
“We were miles away from our best but it’s another clean sheet and another win with just two games left to play.
“It was a fantastic day for football, both teams tried to play open enterprising football so I’m delighted with the three points”
Academy suffered a blow when goalkeeper Sean McCarthy declared himself unfit to play meaning his 18-year-old younger brother Danny was between the sticks.
Turriff’s David Ross and Neale Davidson had a shot and header go into the side-netting before Main made a great double save to foil Anderson then Marc McGregor’s rebound attempt.
The second half started livelier with McCarthy blocking with his legs from half time substitute Nicholas Wozniak and he kept up his inspiring form by clutching a swerving effort from Allen Mackenzie.
The winning goal eventually came in the 73rd minute, David Booth squaring from the bye line, Ross getting the vital touch ahead of challenging defender Gary Manson.
Wozniak and Booth then saw efforts come off the woodwork as they looked to kill off the game but it was left to Main to produce the match-winning flying save to deny Anderson.
Visiting manager Gordon Connelly was full of praise for his team despite the defeat and said: “The players were absolutely immense, we were unlucky not to get anything out of it.
“We had seven under-19 players involved, it’s credit to our youth system that we were forced into bringing them in and it’s worked in our favour.”