Buckie Thistle returned to the top of the Highland League on goal difference with a narrow win over Lossiemouth at Victoria Park.
Scott Adams grabbed the winning goal 20 minutes from time, after Ryan Stuart had levelled Josh Peters’ stunning opener.
Jags boss Graeme Stewart said: “We weren’t good in the first half; they followed the game plan this time, but it just didn’t work.
“We needed to change it and, while we don’t want to play that way, in fairness playing balls in behind to use Josh’s pace was how we got the goals in the second half.
“Getting the three points was all that mattered after last weekend’s defeat (against Fraserburgh), which we spoke about a lot today.
“That’s not something we normally do, but if we want to be successful, we have to do well against the top six teams.”
Lossiemouth were the better team in the first half and Stuart had a goal ruled out for offside in the 12th minute, before dangerman Ross Elliott headed a good chance over the crossbar, then forced Balint Demus into a good save at his near post.
Buckie took the lead three minutes after the break, Peters controlling Ryan Fyffe’s long ball forward and smashing a tremendous volley over Logan Ross and into the top right-hand corner of the net.
The visitors responded well and equalised eight minutes later, Elliott threading a ball through for Stuart to race onto and lift a superb finish over Demus from 12 yards.
The winning goal arrived 20 minutes from time, Andrew MacAskill’s ball in behind released first half substitute Joe McCabe, and his cross was swept high past Ross at the far post by Adams.
Stewart lamented the absence of Josh Peters for last week’s defeat at Fraserburgh.
He said: “His goal showed why we need him. He has that ‘X-factor’ and ability to score a goal out of nothing.
“We need those lads playing and unfortunately he got a second booking for diving at Formartine, which was never a dive.”
Lossiemouth manager Joe Russell was disappointed not to have taken anything from the game.
He said: “I thought we were excellent. In the first half we created a lot of chances and with a bit of luck and more composure we could have had a couple of goals.
“Buckie had more chances in the second half, but I thought we were still a threat and always looked dangerous.
“I think it shows how well we’ve done when Buckie were taking the ball into the corner and trying to run down the clock late on.”
Forres Mechanics 3-4 Nairn County
A late 15-minute hat-trick from Conor Gethins sealed a stunning come-from-behind win for Nairn County against Forres Mechanics at Mosset Park.
The Wee County were 2-0 down at the break but came out firing after half-time, with Gethins’ late treble sealing a dramatic 4-3 success.
Nairn manager Steven Mackay said: “I’m really happy with the second half performance, not so much the first.
“Forres deservedly went in 2-0 up and we had a few choice words at half-time.
“Second half we were on top and I was really happy with how we responded.”
Forres took a seventh-minute lead when Jack Grant’s corner sailed over everyone and went in at the back post.
The Cans doubled their lead after 20 minutes when a fine move ended with Tom Brady’s deep cross being nodded across goal by Shaun Morrison and headed home from close range by Ben Barron.
Nairn were limited to set piece chances in a feisty first period, but passed up a good chance to pull one back when Andrew Greig turned Sam Burns’ cross-cum-shot into the sidenetting at the back post.
But the visitors came out fired up for the second half and halved the deficit when Sam Gordon’s 20-yard strike flew into the corner on 52 minutes.
Angus Dey had a big chance to level the scores just minutes later when he fired Andy Greig’s cutback over from the penalty spot.
Forres seemed to have weathered the storm and collective sighs of relief were being breathed around Mosset Park when substitute Kane Davies fired a loose ball from a corner into the roof of the net for 3-1.
But a penalty on 73 minutes proved to be another turning point. Craig Mackenzie couldn’t evade a ball kicked at his outstretched arm from close range and Gethins slotted home a penalty for the first of his hat-trick.
It was all square at 3-3 on 84 minutes when sub Liam Shewan got in down the Forres left and cut back for Gethins to hammer into the roof of the net.
And there was still time for Nairn to win it – in spectacular fashion. Gethins arrowed a superb free-kick from 20 yards into the bottom right-hand corner.
Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald added: “I didn’t ever think we were in control of the game.
“I couldn’t begrudge them the equaliser and they’ve got the winner as well.
“Nairn were really good and we had an off day. Nairn deserved the points, as much as it hurts me to say it.”
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