The score suggests Buckie had an easy 90 minutes but Brora Rangers were left to rue some debatable refereeing decisions which went against them, none more so than the home side's second goal just after the break which looked yards offside.

That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors who had nine regular first-team players missing.

They were dealt another cruel blow when manager Andy Macleod was harshly sent to the stand with two minutes remaining for questioning why his side had not been awarded a clear-cut foul by referee Graeme Beaton.

Macleod did not wish to discuss what had been said between himself and the official in the referee's room after the final whistle.

He said: "There was not four goals between the teams but that will be what everyone sees when they read the report.  We have got to accept that and take it on the chin and move on.

"We had great chances, especially when Kevin Main pulled off an unbelievable save from Gary Kerr in the first half and then Liam Baxter fired wide when clean through so there are positives to be taken, although at this moment in time I don't feel very positive."

Buckie had gone ahead after just seven minutes when David MacRae curled a superb effort beyond the unsighted Sean McCarthy but Brora rallied and could have been level at the break had it not been an excellent Main stop from Craig Ross's 18-yard effort.

Gary Clark made it 2-0 after 47 minutes when he looked yards offside after MacRae had created the opening but the fact the ball deflected off a Brora defender could have been the reason the strike was allowed to stand.

Paul Napier then volleyed home at the far post after a fine Zander Sutherland cross after 63 minutes.

Sutherland got in on the act himself with the goal of the game, beating two Brora defenders before crashing an angled 16-yard drive beyond the helpless McCarthy.

Buckie manager Gregg Carrol was pleased with his player's response after losing at Wick last weekend but he also felt that the scoreline was slightly flattering.

He said: "I don't think there was four goals between us over the piece but for ourselves the first goal was pleasing and the third goal rounded off a really good move so we have to be happy with the result, especially as Brora beat us early-on last season at Dudgeon Park.

"Zander Sutherland and Paul Napier were a constant threat with their pace and it was good to see both score and carry on the good form they showed against Cove in midweek."

Report from Press & Journal