Inverurie Locos co-manager Kenny Coull was delighted his side survived an early spell of Buckie pressure to keep a clean sheet and score two crucial goals at the other end.

Nicky Gordon's spot kick midway through the first half and Clark Bain's 67th minute header secured the points against a Jags team which just could not get out of second gear.

Coull said: "We were a bit out of position for the first 10 minutes when they caused us a bit of trouble, but after that Keiron Adams and Simon Scott, in fact the whole back four were very solid.

"We deserved to take all three points and hopefully the guys will take a lot of confidence from defeating the back-to-back champions.

"John Maitland was outstanding.

"Nicky Gordon picked up the sponsors' man of the match award, and you know that you will get great workrate from him, but when it comes to skill and ability on the ball Maitland is up there among the best players in the Highland League."

Coull added: "Nicky Gordon held the ball up well for our second goal and when the cross came in Clark Bain came across Kevin Main and got his head to the ball before it reached the keeper."

Buckie Thistle manager Gregg Carrol said: "We had more chances than Locos in the first half but then an experienced player gave away a penalty.  Why he was tackling when he was facing away from goal I'll never know.

"We had players on the park who pleased themselves rather than sticking to the structure we had set out.  People should now know me well enough to know if players need to move on, they will."

Carrol added: "We have now lost six goals in the last three games, that is something which certainly didn't happen last year so the players are not going to be told any more.

"I've told them time and time again and there will be no more warnings."

Report Dave Edwards, Press & Journal