The fans were served up a seven goal thriller at Mosset Park, but League toppers, Buckie Thistle came off second best to a well drilled Forres outfit, who deserved their win.

After the game, Gordon "Boogle" Winton was elated at his players' efforts in overcoming a side which many already have rated as title challengers, in comprehensive fashion and he commented "I didn't envisage at any time that we would be putting five goals past Buckie, but we have been working hard at training and it all came right on the day."

He continued "It was great end to end stuff and both sides could have scored more goals over the piece. Alec Bone and Charlie Brown took their goals well, while Jordon Main got his due reward for putting in a great performance, in addition to setting up Ryan Green's goal, but in addition, the rest of the squad deserves all the praise they get for a tremendous team effort.

Duncan Shearer was philosophical in defeat, accepting with grace, that his side had been outplayed, although he too felt that in addition to the chances taken, there might have been even more goals on another day.

"I was disappointed to have gone in at half time, having a pretty soft goal, although the opening ten minutes of the second period saw us play as I know we can do, with excellent build up work and forward play, but we did toil in defence, something which will need to be rectified before next Saturday."

He went on to admit "I am happy with the squad, as I feel we have the depth in quality needed for the campaign, but we know that the defence will need to stop making individual errors, as we did out there today. We gave away the goals too softly and didn't pick up the Forres dangermen at vital times, which cannot carry on if we are to challenge for honours this season."

Forres took the lead in 12 minutes, when a speculative effort by Jordon Main fell for RYAN GREEN and the former Buckie player made no mistake from close range, but the home fans' joy was short lived, as Thistle drew level within two minutes, when LEWIS MackINNON netted with a powerful header.

Six minutes into the second half, Forres restored their lead, albeit with a big slice of good luck, after a Charlie Brown shot rebounded off the upright, before striking the grounded KEVIN MAIN's back and rolling over the line, then with 59 minutes gone, ALEC BONE took advantage of slack defending to shrug off Mike Grant, before rounding the hapless Main and rolling the ball into the gaping net.

Buckie were thrown a lifeline midway through the second half, when Lewis MacKinnon was brought down in the box, STEVEN BRUCE drilling home the resultant penalty, but goals from CHARLIE BROWN and JORDON MAIN, in 73 and 88 minutes completed the rout.

All in all, comprehensive beating at the hands of a team which have now put ten, yes, ten goals past us in the last three League meetings.

The defence never looked comfortable today and was a far cry from that which has dominated Highland League attacks over the last couple of seasons and needs to smarten up its act, with the forthcoming Cup Final and Scottish Cup tie at Glasgow Universing looming large, but even before that, the match against Fort William, next Saturday must be addressed and a more stable platform constructed.

Forres Lineup: Knight, Horsburgh, J Main, Black, Mutch, McIntosh(Dougall76), Whyte(Macdonald89), Allan, Brown, Bone(Calder89), Green. Not used: Chapman, Rowley.

Buckie Lineup: K Main, Shewan, Grant, MacRae, Matheson(N Davidson38), Small, Low(Stewart46), Neill, MacKinnon, MacMillan(Bruce66), R Davidson. Not used: Hamilton, Strong.

Referee: Mr M Northcroft.