Brechin City’s unbeaten record in the Breedon Highland League remains intact after a 4-1 victory against Turriff United at the Haughs.
The Hedgemen struck twice in the space of three minutes just before half-time courtesy of Botti Biabi and Jordan Northcott to take control of the contest.
Grady McGrath added a third right at the start of the second half and after Callan Gray pulled one back for Turra Kieran Inglis’ penalty put the outcome beyond doubt.
Brechin have taken 34 points from a possible 36 this season and remain top of the table.
Even opening
The early stages were evenly matched with chances at a premium.
Turriff manager Dean Donaldson sprung a surprise with his team selection leaving 12-goal striker Ewan Clark on the bench.
That meant Aaron Reid was playing up front on his own and at times in the first half he was an isolated figure.
Although one neat early touch from the Aberdeen-bound forward released Jack McKenzie into space but he shot wide from the edge of the area.
Brechin were getting joy down the flanks with Marc Scott on the right a constant threat.
The Hedgemen’s first decent opening came midway through the first period.
Anthony McDonald’s free-kick from the right wasn’t cleared and when Inglis sent the ball back into the danger zone Scott’s header down found McGrath.
The striker’s shot from 10 yards was gathered by goalkeeper David Dey at the second attempt.
Shortly after the half hour mark Biabi had the ball in the net for the visitors but he was eventually flagged offside.
Then Northcott found space on the left but his cutback was fired narrowly over by McDonald from 12 yards.
Brechin were cranking up the pressure and made the breakthrough five minutes before the break.
McGrath scampered down the right wing and his cross was superbly volleyed home by Biabi from 12 yards.
Two minutes later clinical City made it 2-0. McDonald sent in a low delivery from the left which Turra failed to clear and Northcott prodded into the net from close range.
Before the first half was out McGrath twice fired off target when well-placed inside the box.
City add third
At 2-0 the next goal was always going to be important and Brechin got it after only 10 seconds of the second half.
McGrath capitalised on indecision in the home defence to latch on to a ball in behind before firing through the legs of Dey.
But in the 52nd minute Turriff pulled one back. Reid beat the offside trap down the right after initially stumbling inside the box he sent a great cross to the back post and Gray headed into the bottom left corner.
United’s tails were up and shortly after scoring Max Foster headed over from Jordan Cooper’s cross.
Just before the hour Brechin snuffed out Turra’s hopes of a comeback.
Referee Duncan Nicolson pointed to the penalty spot for a push on McGrath inside the area, it seemed quite soft, but Inglis swept the spot-kick into the right corner.
The game petered out to an extent after that. Brechin looked as if they could have added more at times.
But United were resilient and dug in although they were seldom a threat going forward.