Wick Academy survived a nervy finish to win 3-2 at Turriff United.
The Scorries were 3-0 up after 90 minutes thanks to goals from Jack Haliday, Jack Henry and Grant Aitkenhead, before goals from Cammy Bowden and Murray Easton set up a tense finale.
Wick boss Tom McKenna said: “It was a good three points.
“We started really well and scored an excellent goal through Jack Haliday but Turriff dominated the remainder of the first half.
“The second half was more equal and could have gone either way.
“Fortunately we scored two goals through Jack Henry and Grant Aitkenhead to go three up with five minutes to go before Turriff scored two late goals to set up a nervy finish.
“In the end we came away with the three points, which was pleasing.”
Turriff manager Kris Hunter praised his young side for a battling display and felt they deserved to take something from the game.
He said: “We should have won the game given how many chances we created. We were disappointed to find ourselves 3-0 down but we played well and on another day would have won.
“Wick created four or five chances and took three of them, while we created 12 and only scored twice.
“There were far more positives than negatives for us.
“To score two goals in injury time speaks volumes of their character and determination.”
Next up for Turriff is a meeting with Formartine United at North Lodge Park.
Hunter added: “They were one of the title favourites at the start of the season and have spent a lot of money.
“We have nothing to lose.
“We will go there and play the way we have been over the last month and see how we get on.
“There is no pressure on us.”