After an improved performance by his side, Duncan Shearer, the Buckie Manager was quick to praise the players who had triumphed over a very young and enthusiastic Fort team.

"We played pretty well throughout, but although we had the Lion's share of possession in the first half, we had only a single goal to show for our labours." was the former Scottish international's initial observation.

He went on to comment "The second half was a different matter, though, as we took control from an early stage and Craig MacMillan was able to complete an excellent hat-trick, his first in the club colours. After last week's debacle at Forres, I laid it on the line to the players and they came through with a great performance, particularly Mark Hamilton, who put in a good shift wide on the right in his first appearance of the season."

Meanwhile, Fort's manager, the ebullient Eck Mackay, wasn't despondent, despite the four goal deficit. "We have a young squad and it is difficult for us to compete with the likes of Locos, Cove and now, Buckie in our early schedule, but I feel that my squad, depleted as it is, acquitted themselves well."

Eck continued "Although we lost out to a very good Buckie side, it was probably our best performance of the season thusfar and we played some good football at times, despite losing some softish goals, so I'm not disheartened at all."

Buckie took charge early on in the first period, but were unable to completely break down the stuffy Fort rearguard, which performed pretty well throughout.

A surprise was the naming of transfer-listed Mark Hamilton on the right flank, but the winger almost contributed early on, when he crossed for David Macrae, but the former Nairn County player shot into the side netting, from a tight angle.

Hammy sent over a 17 minute corner kick, which Lewis MacKinnon connected with, but the striker's header skidded behind off the top of Macdonald's crossbar as Buckie began to up the ante.

The same player sent in a trademark, 30 yard screamer of a free kick five minutes later, but Macdonald was able to smother the ball by the base of his right hand post, as David Macrae closed in menacingly.

Fort came upfield in 27 minutes though, the Jags defence parting to allow Bamber free rein, but the big defender lost his way somewhat, the ball spilling wide for Martin, who struck a fierce 30 yard drive which Kev Main did well to hold at the second time of asking.

Thistle came close in 35 minutes when a diving header by Graeme "Spider" Stewart beat the keeper, only for the ball to rebound off the woodwork, strike Macdonald on his posterior, then bounce into the air for the goalie to smother anxiously.Fort seemed to be keeping the shutters up on the Jags, despite the growing pressure until, with four minutes of the half remaining, CRAIG MACMILLAN opened the floodgates, when he rose highest to head home from a free kick on the right flank.

After the interval, Thistle settled quickly and MACMILLAN grabbed his and Buckie's second goal, with another header, this time off a Hamilton cut-back, with 49 minutes played.

Within a minute, Fort had the ball in the Buckie net, but the vigilant ref had spotted the foul on Main by two Lochaber men, indicting a free to the Jags to the relief of the supporters.

Midway through the second period, macKinnon appeared to have sewn it up, following in on a Hamilton shot which came back off the woodwork, but he was denied by an offside flag.

The visitors' final fling came in around 72 minutes, when a Haggerty free kick from 25 ayrds range flashed narrowly over Main's crossbar.

Buckie were unfazed by this close shave and got their just reward in 74 minutes, after Matt Edmond played CRAIG MACMILLAN in with a cheeky dink over the Fort defence and the league's top scorer last term made no mistake to complete his first hat-trick as a Jag.

A minute later, MATT EDMOND scored his first of the season, when his curling shot deceived Macdonald, the Fort ‘keeper, who was also faced with a glaring sun as he vainly tried to track the trajectory of the 18 yard effort.

Buckie continued to dominate and Brian Neill almost made it five, after a great build up involving Macrae, Edmond and Matheson set him up, but the former Don's shot whistled inches wide of the far post, with Macdonald, the visiting keeper looking on.

All in all, a satisfying result for the Jags faithful, who have witnessed the Jags blowing hot and cold several times in the early stages of the season so far.

Buckie lineup: Main, Shewan, R Davidson(Urquhart78), Macrae, Mtheson, Small, Hamilton, Neill, MacKinnon(Edmond71), MacMillan(Low76), Stewart. Not used: Grant, Strong(gk).

Fort William: Macdonald, Bamber, Hazleton, Cooper, Kelly, Martin, Kerr(Murdoch56), Haggerty(Quigg76), Dunacn, MacKenzie(Henry69), Hewitt. Not used: Lowandowski(gk)

Referee: Mr M McNab.