Highland League round-up: Brechin City return to top spot, wins for Buckie Thistle, Brora Rangers and Banks O' Dee while Forres Mechanics lose late to Nairn County in derby
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Last season's Highland League top two are looking like going the distance in this term's title chase.
Champions Brechin City returned to top spot with a 3-0 win at Turriff United, while Buckie Thistle were 5-2 winners at home to Wick Academy.
Read more: Goals galore in 2pm kick-offs.
Buckie had an early scare when Marc MacGregor put Wick ahead on five minutes.
A three-goal blitz before half time saw Josh Peters, Jack Murray and Jack MacIver put Jags in command.
Jack Halliday got one back for the visitors, who then had Owen Rendall sent off.
Buckie defender Sam Morrison netted his first goal since breaking his ankle at the start of last season, then quickly added a second to clinch the Victoria Park side's win.
Brechin's ace striker Grady McGrath made it 23 goals for the season with a double in their 3-0 success at Turriff, after Fraser MacLeod got the opener.
Forres Mechanics suffered injury time heartache in their derby clash at Nairn County.
On-loan Ross County man George Robesten netted to give County the half time lead before Craig MacKenzie levelled for Cans in the final ten minutes.
Nairn were awarded a disputed penalty in the seventh minute of time added on and Andrew MacLeod found the net to clinch all three points.
Rothes went down 3-0 at home to Fraserburgh with former Speysiders loan man Aidan Sopel scoring twice and Zane Laird getting the other goal.
Inverurie Locos picked up only their second league win of the season to beat hosts Keith 2-1.
All the goals came in the final half hour. Myles Gaffney shot Lovcos ahead, Gavin Elphinstone levelled but Jay Halliday got the Inverurie winner on 85 minutes.
Leaders Formartine United were deposed after a 2-1 defeat at Banks O' Dee.
Dayshonne Golding put Dee ahead before Marc Lawrence levelled for United ten minutes before half time.
Lachie Macleod grabbed the Dee winner five minutes after the break.
Huntly's tough run continued with a 3-0 defeat at Brora Rangers.
Jordan MacRae scoring the first two including a penalty, and Tony Dingwall got the third on 57 minutes.
