Champions Brora Rangers left it late before taking the points against a much-improved Inverurie Locos side in a game where referee Graham Beaton brandished six yellow cards, three to each side.
Brora manager Richie Brittain was relieved to get the win and said: “Better late than never, it was a difficult game, Harlaw Park is a difficult place to come to. But I told the players before the game the three points were all that mattered.
“We started well, but credit to Locos, they came back into it and had a few good chances as we did. We knew we were fortunate, but we move on to the next game.
“Zander Sutherland is a threat and I’m delighted for him getting the winner, he’s working so hard with the responsibility of being team captain. He’s thriving on that.”
The Cattachs could have been two or three ahead early in the game, Scott Mathieson saving an Andrew Greig shot, tipping a Grant Munro header on to his crossbar and following up with another clever save.
Inverurie’s Martin Bavidge evaded his markers to go one on one with Joe Malin but shot wide, while Colin Charlesworth got free of the Brora defence but shot wide.
As the game appeared to be drifting towards a draw, it was Sutherland who popped up with an overhead kick finish from the centre of the penalty area from another outstanding Greig delivery.
Locos co-manager Scott Buchan said: “Once we got to grips with the early pressure, our forwards caused Brora problems. It was a really good game of Highland League football, two teams going for it. I’m just disappointed for our players, they were unlucky to lose the game.”