Strathspey Thistle posted their first win of the season as they defeated hosts Clach 2-0 in the Highland League.
The toiling Grantown Jags moved up a place last week after Banks o’ Dee were hit with a 24-point punishment due to player registration issues.
The result, aided by Dee losing 2-0 at Rothes, means they hold a six-point advantage ahead of their home date against them this Saturday.
Goals from Aiden Cruickshank and Liam Grant earned Thistle a 2-0 lead at the break, with chances aplenty at both ends.
A second booking late on saw Cruickshank sent off, but the job was all but done by then.
The Jags, without a win all season, had taken some heavy defeats in recent weeks, but 4-2 and 3-2 reversals against Nairn County and Lossiemouth in the league and Highland League Cup respectively would have heartened them before their trip up the A9.
Manager Charlie Brown made two changes to the 11 who started against Lossie on Saturday, with Oliver Kelly and Ben Cullen given the nod to start.
The Merkinchers’ last game was a thrilling 3-3 draw at Deveronvale on October 22, a game lit up by James Anderson’s hat-trick.
Home boss Jordan Macdonald brought Gary Warren and Shaun Anderson back into his starting side.
The earlier afternoon rain returned at kick-off, but thankfully didn’t last too long and the match found a decent pace from the first whistle.
Strathspey, with a clear determination, nudged in front after seven minutes when Cruickshank supplied a measured finish in the box to guide a Grant cross past goalkeeper Martin Mackinnon.
Brown’s men were keen to add to this and pinned their hosts back for a spell.
However, the Lilywhites showed their intent too, with Paul Brindle shooting wide after creating an opening then being denied by on-loan Elgin City keeper Kelly.
Lewis Mackenzie also sought a way back and drilled a low shot inches wide just before steering over the top after a weaving run.
Strathspey were patient though and grabbed a second goal when Grant tucked the ball away from a neat passing move on the half-hour mark.
We now look forward to Saturday's home game against @banksodee_fc for which a special match programme will be available at the gate and also by post (message for details). #STRATHYJAGS https://t.co/BQuwFhGyQJ
— Strathspey Thistle FC (Official) (@JagsStfc) November 2, 2022
A home penalty appeal when Brindle was felled in the box was ignored by referee Gordon Seago, while, at the other end, Strathspey captain James McShane had an effort cleared off the line.
The Inverness side, stung by the scoreline, asked most of the early questions at the start of the second half, but their opponents stood firm.
Daniel Whitehorn, on 63 minutes, sensed a chance for a shot and stung Mackinnon’s palms with a decent 30-yarder.
Clach, who travel to joint leaders Brechin City on Saturday, kept plugging away and sub Connor Bunce slashed an angled drive off target from the far right side of the box.
Anderson, then seemed certain to score, when Bunce picked him out, but drove the ball at close-range into Kelly’s arms.
A strong challenge by Cruickshank with five minutes left led to a second yellow card and a red card, but the 10 men got over the line and departed with delight at getting off the mark.
Clach dipped to 15th position thanks to Nairn County overtaking them with their 3-0 win against Wick Academy.
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