Auchinleck Talbot conquerors Lossiemouth United get ready for Scottish Cup clash with Armadale Thistle by defeating Cruden Bay
Lossiemouth United warmed up for their big Scottish Junior Cup clash with a comfortable home victory.
The cup shock troops, who stunned giants Auchinleck Talbot on their own patch in the Scottish Cup, take on East of Scotland League Armadale Thistle in the second round in Lossie on Saturday.
United are also chasing hard for the north championship and did their chances no harm last weekend with a 4-1 victory at home to Cruden Bay.
United took the lead through a fine Ben Cullen finish for his ninth goal of the season, before the Buchan visitors levelled the scores.
A Jamie Tinnock cross from deep was met by the the run of Daniel Hanover who volleyed Lossie back in the lead.
Tinnock got the third himself shortly after the break, his 30 yard strike being deflected past the keeper.
Cullen headed home his second from a corner to tie up a win which keeps United fourth but with games in hand to go above all the teams ahead of them in the table.
Banchory St Ternan are the new championship leaders though they were made to work hard for their 3-2 win at Burghead Thistle.
A defensive error gifted Saints an early lead before Max Taylor levelled from Kelvin Mackenzie’s through pass.
Mackenzie ran through to score himself and put Burghead into the lead just after half time.
But a foul by home keeper Kyle Rowe saw the visitors awarded a penalty which they scored to level with 15 minutes to go.
Banchory then snatched all three points with an 85th minute winner.
Burghead are also in Scottish Junior Cup action this weekend when they make the long journey to Livingston United.
New Elgin produced a superb display at home to Glentanar, winning 5-1 at Nicol Togneri Park.
The Free Staters had to do it the hard way, coming from behind after a goalless first half.
The Aberdeen away side took the lead but New Elgin’s respond was swift with Ryan McPherson levelling striaght from kick off.
Aidan Mackenzie fired the home team ahead and Glentanar had a player sent off with 20 minutes left.
New Elgin made the extra man advantage count as goals by Rab Forsyth, Michael Weir and sub Keir Mackie guided them to victory.
Forres Thistle made title chasers Hall Russell United dig deep for a 2-1 win at Logie Park.
Forres keeper Adam Crichton had some good stops early on but was beaten by one of his own players, as Craig Robertson miskicked a cross into his own net on 20 minutes.
Thistle hit back to level when Connor Aubrey converted a Cameron Wallace through ball on the half hour.
Jack McKay was then denied by a good stop while Crichton kept Forres on level terms with two fine saves just before the break.
Into the second half, a Forres mix-up almost gifted Hall Russell another goal but they struck the post.
However a second goal for the visitors was only delayed until the 53rd minute with slack defending punished by United.
Neither side created many chances after that as Hall Russell held on for a 2-1 win that puts them second in the table.
Dufftown’s match at home to Deveronside was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch while Islavale’s Premier League match against leaders Dyce was switched from Keith, and the Aberdeen outfit recorded a 2-0 victory on home soil.
