DUFFTOWN were crowned Elginshire Cup champions on Saturday after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Forres Thistle.
The Toonsers twice took the lead in an end-to-end 2-2 draw at Logie Park in Forres before penalty perfection saw them win 5-3 on spot kicks.
The trophy is the first Dufftown have won at junior level. Manager Jim Stables, whose son Finlay scored the second goal, was ecstatic at full-time.
"I'm delighted for Dufftown and the club," he said. "There are a lot of folk who work hard for the club so to win their first trophy at this level is brilliant.
"I'm delighted for the committee, the players and the fans – who turned up in good numbers to support the team."
Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black was called into action within seconds at Logie Park – turning away Matty Fraser's header well.
It was 1-0 to the Toonsers within six minutes, though, as Ben Cullen smashed home Finlay Stables' pass from inside the box.
But Thistle fought back well and levelled on 18 minutes when Mattie Davidson's through ball was neatly clipped home by Fraser.
The game went into the break all square – but only after Dufftown passed up two chances to take the lead.
First, Michael Dunn's header came crashing back off the crossbar on 40 minutes and then, two minutes before half-time, Cullen's lob dropped just wide of the post.
The second half was a scrappier affair with few chances at either end until Dufftown edged back ahead on 78 minutes. Finlay Stables' header looped over Dan McLeod in the Forres goal and in.
Just as it seemed the trophy was headed to Dufftown, Forres struck again in time added on.
Michael Dunn conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Matty Fraser and Mattie Davidson stepped up to drill the ball from 20 yards into the bottom right-hand corner.
The game went straight to penalties, where Dufftown prevailed 5-3. Forres midfielder Ross Paterson – who took first for the Jags – was the only player to miss in the shootout, seeing his low effort saved by Stewart Black.
Jim Stables added: "I thought that was it when they made it 2-2, I have to be honest. I thought the chances of us coming back after that were slim.
"They were on a high when it goes to penalties and we were on a downer. But the boys pulled us out and took the penalties brilliantly to a man.
"The last penalty, to win it, and young Aiden Cruickshank – who's 16 – took it like a seasoned pro. Just brilliant."
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