A double strike from Steven Anderson and further goals from Ali Sutherland and Aidan Wilson earned Rothes a comfortable Highland League Cup first-round win over Nairn County at Mackessack Park, earning them another home tie against local rivals Keith in the quarter-finals.
Nairn threatened first through an early Max Ewan effort, but it was saved comfortably by home goalkeeper Ewan Macdonald.
Scott Davidson then rose highest to meet Cohen Ramsay’s free kick, but his header crept just beyond the post.
Rothes took advantage of the visitor’s missed opportunities by taking the lead in the 25th minute, Steven Anderson bursting into the penalty area and rifling a low shot past beyond Dylan Maclean into the bottom left corner of the net.
Ten minutes later Craig Cormack missed a good chance to double the home side’s lead, firing the ball over the crossbar from 12 yards out.
Ali Sutherland did make it two in the 41st minute, Anderson getting to the byline and his cut back found Ali Sutherland, and he fired home from close range.
Rothes scored a killer third goal early in the second period when Anderson doubled his tally for the evening, latching onto a through ball and slotting home from a tight angle.
Thirteen minutes from time, substitute Aidan Wilson added goal number four
with a superb low strike into the net from 25 yards.
Liam Shewan netted a late consolation for the visitors but it was too little, too late for the Station Park men.