Inverurie Locos moved five points clear in second place with a 4-1 home win against Strathspey Thistle.
The Harlaw Park men remain 11 points adrift of leaders Brora and five ahead of third-placed Fraserburgh, although the Bellslea Park side have three games in hand.
Locos boss Andy Low said: “I would have liked us to be more clinical but I was happy with the performance.
“It was disappointing to lose a goal as I felt it was one of those games where we could have stepped on and scored more goals.
“Jamie Michie rightly picked up the man of the match award and once again I was proud of our young players.
“I’m not just putting them on the park to give them minutes, they are the future of the club.
“They’ve worked hard to win the under-20 league and every week they stand out in training.
“They are now competing for places on merit with the more experienced players.
“Neil Gauld took his goals brilliantly. His first set the tempo for the game. We’re trying to work with Neil and Chris Angus to play closer together. Their link-up and understanding is really good.”
Locos opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Gauld trapped the ball on his chest and scooped it high into the roof of the net.
The hosts doubled their lead after 37 minutes when Angus swivelled and shot into the corner of the net from just outside the box.
Angus turned provider to set up Ryan Stott for an easy finish for Locos’ third, before Strathspey pulled one back through a fine finish from Scott Morrison.
The consolation goal just served to fire up Locos and another goal was averted thanks to an amazing double save by Jags keeper Michael MacCallum to keep out Angus then Gauld.
MacCallum appeared fortunate to avoid a red card with five minutes to go when he fouled Gauld after the striker rounded him. He was booked, with Gauld converting the resulting penalty kick.
Strathspey boss Gordon Nicolson said: “We’ve played three of the league’s best teams in quick succession with games against Rothes, Brora and Locos. This was our worst display of those three games in terms of passing the ball.”