Brora Rangers moved a step closer to capturing the Highland League title with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over a plucky Keith outfit at Dudgeon Park.
The Cattachs were two goals to the good at the interval thanks to a well-taken double from Andrew MacRae and shortly after the break Paul Brindle’s strike ended any hopes of a Keith comeback.
Brora boss Steven Mackay said: “It was a professional enough performance. We were never really threatened and controlled the game really well.
“We took our goals really well, although the second half did go a little bit flat after we went 3-0 up.
“We made changes to freshen things up and the game lost its fluency a little bit. It was a very soft penalty near the end, which was disappointing as we had been looking to keep another clean-sheet.
“We now look forward to a massive game at Fraserburgh.
“Nothing will be decided but it may go a long way to deciding what happens in the title race.”
Maroons boss Dean Donaldson said: “The boys stuck at their task well but it was very difficult as Brora’s movement, especially from their front players, was very good. I don’t think their centre-half Colin Williamson missed a header all afternoon.
“I think we could have had another couple of goals but nobody expected us to take anything and I couldn’t have asked any more of the lads.”
Brora’s early pressure paid off in the 14th minute when former Forres attacker Andrew MacRae scored and 12 minutes later the back-to-back Highland League young player of the year netted again to double the advantage.
Shortly after half-time left-winger Paul Brindle grabbed Brora’s third by cutting in and drilling the ball into the bottom corner.
Keith kept battling and picked up a consolation in the last minute when Jack Grant was brought down in the box and Cammy Keith netted the spot-kick.