A brace from Andrew MacAskill helped Buckie Thistle to a 3-1 win against Fraserburgh at Bellslea.
The midfielder struck twice in quick succession in the first period, before sub Josh Peters netted late on, as the Jags maintained their perfect start in the Breedon Highland League, making it three wins out of three.
Although the Broch tried to put the pressure on in the second half they were unable to mount a comeback, with their goal coming from Sean Butcher in injury time.
With both sides aspiring to win the title come the end of the season this victory is an early season boost for Buck
Cagey opening
Shooting down the slope and with the wind in the first half it was Buckie that threatened first with MacAskill’s corner nodded over by Joe McCabe at the front post.
That aside the early exchanges were fiercely competitive but there was little in the way of goalmouth action as both sides battled to try to gain the upper hand.
In the 25th minute the Broch almost forged ahead. Kieran Simpson’s long ball into the Thistle box was allowed to bounce and eventually broke for Ryan Sargent, but he lifted a right-footed volley over from close range.
Two minutes later Buckie punished that miss by taking the lead.
They worked it down the right and Simpson’s slip allowed MacLeod space and with Fraserburgh caught short he rolled the ball across for MacAskill who took a touch before blasting past goalkeeper Joe Barbour
Shortly after scoring MacLeod headed well over from McCabe’s right-wing cross.
But in the 31st minute the Jags did double their advantage when, after a spell of possession Dale Wood swung a cross in from the left and MacAskill ghosted in at the back post to head into the top left corner.
On the stroke of half-time Wood tried his luck from 25 yards after a loose Greg Buchan pass, but Joe Barbour was equal to the effort.
Important next goal
The next goal was always likely to be critical and the Broch looked to get it on 48 minutes when Buchan stung goalkeeper Stuart Knight’s palms with a strike from 20 yards.
Butcher was next to have a go, but his header from Willie West’s cross was tame and easy for Knight.
In the 54th minute Simpson’s high ball released Scott Barbour in behind but as the striker went to pull the trigger McCabe got back in to make an excellent sliding block.
However, Buckie still posed a threat and just after the hour mark Max Barry’s strike from 25 yards was held by Joe Barbour.
Midway through the second half Fraserburgh captain West looped a header wide after Simpson sent a corner back into the danger area.
On 70 minutes Knight made a good save down to his right to turn away sub Logan Watt’s strike from the edge of the area.
Four minutes later sub Connor Wood latched onto a ball in behind, but Jack Murray got a block on his lobbed effort which took the sting out of it and allowed Knight to save.
Fraserburgh’s last chance of setting up a grandstand finale was three minutes from time when Wood met Watt’s corner at the front post, but his glancing header rebounded off the right upright.
But on 89 minutes Buckie put the seal on their victory when Max Barry’s low ball in from the left found MacAskill.
His strike from 15 yards hit the inside of the left post and rolled across goal with sub Peters on hand to force the rebound home from close range.
In the first minute of injury Fraserburgh netted a consolation when Watt’s cross from the right was glanced on by the head of Jamie Beagrie and Butcher appeared to get the last touch on its way into the net.