Peterhead needed extra-time to overcome a spirited Banks o’ Dee in their Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield second round tie at Spain Park.
Max Alexander’s goal early in the second half gave Doug Baxter’s side a deserved lead before Blue Toon midfielder Brian Gilfillan’s header took the match into extra-time.
Gilfillan netted the winner from the penalty spot to secure victory for Jim Mc-Inally’s side which featured Reece Donaldson, David Cox, Brian Gilfillan, Andy Rodgers, Scott Ross, Jordon Brown and Fraser McLaren from the first team squad.
Dean Cowie also made an appearance from the bench as he stepped up his recovery from knee surgery last month, but all the plaudits should go to the junior side for pushing their League 1 opponents all the way.
It was the home side who created the best chances in the opening exchanges with Scott Ross forced to make a clearance as Jamie Lennox was poised to convert a cross from close range before the Dee attacker fired wide of Paul Jarvie’s goal.
Lennox was in the thick of all the early action and had another chance when Liam McCall’s flick sent him clear, but he dragged his shot wide with the Blue Toon goalkeeper to beat.
Peterhead came into the game and the junior side were soon put under pressure with home goalkeeper Michael Smith grateful to his captain Ross Forsyth for clearing Brown’s header off the line.
Dee were still threatening and Jarvie did well to deny Alexander from close range after Lennox’s through ball had sent him clear before McInally’s side created another chance of their own, Smith palming Gilfillan’s 20-yard drive past the post.
The junior side finally took one of their chances in the 53rd minute as Alexander ran on to a through ball to fire the ball past Jarvie in the visiting goal.
The visitors were rattled but they dug deep to net an equaliser 18 minutes from time when on loan Dundee defender Cammy Kerr crossed into the box where captain for the night Gilfillan rose to send a glancing header beyond Smith to make it 1-1.
The match went into extra-time and it was the visitors who took the lead as Philip McCall handled in the area to block Gilfillan’s header, conceding a penalty. Gilfillan converted the spot kick, beating Smith at his left post to secure a hard fought win for McInally’s men.