Inverurie Locos netted three goals for the second game in a row, the perfect preparation for the derby against title-challengers Turriff at Harlaw Park on Wednesday night.
After scoring three against Huntly a fortnight ago, Inverurie continued their impressive run of recent form.
A happy Locos co-manager Kenny Coull said: “It really was quite comfortable and I was particularly pleased with the quality of goals we scored. Their goal came from a long free kick but we had the points tied up by then. The wind spoiled the game though and it got worse as the game went on.
“We were delighted to have Neil Gauld back in the squad after his long injury lay-off. He has been working hard over the past week to get fully fit but we just didn’t feel he was quite ready to start the game.”
The home side took little time to put its mark on the game.
From a precise long ball from Jamie Michie, Jordan Leyden drove away down the left and crossed for Andy Hunter to poke home from close range.
Lossiemouth’s Aaron Hamilton was carried off with an ankle injury and their day went from bad to worse when once again Leyden whipped in a cross for Hunter to nod the ball in from right in front of goal. Hunter was desperate to get his hat-trick and went close on a few occasions, but on 71 minutes the all-important third goal came from an outswinging Leyden corner which Martin Laing hooked back across goal and into the far corner.
The Coasters were reduced to 10 men, substitute Scott Wilson receiving his marching orders for a second booking, after deliberately handling the ball. However, they scored a very late consolation, Andrew Stewart sending a curled free kick deep past a distracted Andy Reid and low into the far corner.
Lossiemouth manager Charlie Charlesworth offered no excuses and said: “We did better in the second half after not turning up in the first. Their first goal came to them too easy, their second made the task very difficult.
“The players were told the truth at half-time but overall we were short of class and I’m disappointed about that.”