The Jags staring line-up showed five changes to the side that started in the 3-0 midweek win cup at Keith.  In came Strong, Bruce, Macmillan, Sutherland and Macrae for Main, Brown, Murray, Davidson and Napier.

The kick off time was delayed for ten minutes due to the time it had taken to get to Cove with the torrential rain and traffic on the roads, the match kicked off at 8.10pm.

Buckie kicked off and launched two attacks in the opening 2 minutes both through Zander Sutherland on the wing, on both occassions the crosses did not trouble the home defence.

The Jags goal led a "charmed life" three times in the opening 25 minutes, with Cove's forwards missing when well placed, much to the relief of the sizeable travelling support, Macmilan also had a lob cleared off the line during this period.

Buckie went ahead in 25 minutes when Sutherland was clearly fouled in the box, this was a "stonewall" penalty - despite the protests from several of the home sides defenders, CRAIG MACMILLAN stepped up to blast the ball into the corner - with Cove's keeper getting a hand to the ball - but being unable to keep it out of the net.

It was almost 2-0 five minutes later, Macmillan passed to Sutherland who drove the ball over the bar, he was clattered by the keeper but the ref was not going to award a penalty as the shot had taken place a split-second earlier.

The scores were level 5 minutes from the break, Mackinnon did not get a clear header in the box and a penalty was awarded by the ref for a handall by the Jags defender.  BARRIE STEPHEN made no mistake from the spot - sending strong the wrong way.

                                HALF - TIME 1-1

Buckie went ahead in 55 minutes, a well struck free-kick from Bob Duncan was too strong for the home keeper- who spilled the ball and CRAIG MACMILLAN was "in on a flash" to net the rebound.

The Jags goal had another amazing escape just a minute later when Henderson headed past the back post.  Strong then punched away a well-sruck free-kick from the edge of the box. 

The turning point of the match came in 70 minutes when a free-kick driven in by Duncan found Macmillan on the penalty spot but the Jags striker headed straight at the keeper.

As happens regularly in football the home side then broke up field and equalised a minute later, CLARK BAIN drove the ball low and it took a deflection in the box - giving Strong no chance.   

The Jags responded by having the better of the next 15 minutes, Munro had a couple of attempts blocked at the edge of the box, Macmillan headed the ball against the bar and the home keeper brought off a "point blank" save to deny Bruce.

Despite this the home side almost grabbed all three points and it took a superb save from Darren Strong who tipped a great shot from the edge of the box - onto the bar - to earn the Jags a point. 

                              FULL -TIME 2-2

SUMMARY - This match was a great advert for Highland League football, as both managers said after the match "the fans got their moneys worth in this one", the game had goals, saves, goal-line clearances, efforts off the crossbar and the play swung from "end to end" during the match.

For the Jags it was a good point - earned at the home of the side who have been the league champions in the last two seasons and on a very tight pitch. 

The scene is now set for the two teams who meet again in the - ABERDEENSHIRE CUP FINAL - at TURRIFF - THIS SATURDAY (12th September) - kick off at 3.00pm, COME ALONG AND SUPPORT THE JAGS! 

The Buckie team was... STRONG, C ANGUS, SMALL, MACKINNON, DUNCAN, MUNR0, MACRAE, STEWART, SUTHERLAND, BRUCE and MACMILLAN.

Subs (used) SHEWAN and NAPIER (unused) MACDONALD.