INVERURIE Locos continued on their winning ways on Tuesday (August 7), clinically punishing defensive mistakes by Huntly in the Aberdeenshire Cup First Round to set up a semi-final meeting with League Champions Keith at Kynoch Park on Tuesday, August 21 at 8pm.

Mark Simpson sat out his first game since the 2005/2006 season while Gary Nicol and Neil McLean were unavailable and Ritchie Singer suspended, so there were starting places for Roddy Mess, Lewis McKimmie, Davie Calder and Danny Milne.

With only six minutes played, Danny Milne pushed forward on the right before sending a good cross into the area. Home keeper Ross Buchanan made a loud shout for the ball only to see his sweeper Graeme Grant head the ball into the far corner of his own net for the first own goal of the 2007/2008 season.

Huntly went on to be the more dominant of the two teams in the first half. In the 20th minute a long ball out from the back by Ross Campbell sent Keith Reid in behind the Locos defence but his dangerous cross was headed behind for a corner by Roddy Mess. Ross McWilliam delivered the set piece to the back post where it was met by Michael Morrison but his header was well held by Paul Jarvie.

Huntly kept pushing for a leveller as Gauld was again denied by Paul Jarvie curling in a shot from a Russell Guild through ball.

However, Locos were deadly on the breakaway, young McKimmie pulling the home defenders around in an energetic first half from him. There was a steady composure about the rest of the team as they soaked up what Huntly were throwing at them.

Four minutes before the interval Scott Buchan fired over the bar after the home defence failed to clear Danny Milne's corner kick.

Locos increased their advantage seven minutes into the second half. Nicky Gordon had just come on for McKimmie and he was involved in the move. His cross caused panic in the Huntly defence and Danny Milne was in front of goal to knock the ball over the line.

Huntly made a tactical change on 62 minutes reverting to four at the back but within seconds, they were down again. Allan Youngson was given plenty of space out on the left wing and crossed low into the front post. A scramble ensued in the goalmouth and Scott Michie was quickest to the ball to slot in from yards out.

The visitors played brimming with confidence and the performance bodes well for Saturday's Challenge Cup First Round home clash with Fort William. The kick off is at 3pm and Kevin Will in the envious position of having another strong squad at his disposal

Huntly: Buchanan, Keith Reid, Morrison (Bisset 62), Grant, Campbell, Craib, McWilliam, Guild, Cormie (Redford 57), Gauld, McGowan (Robertson 83).

Inverurie Locos: Jarvie, McCulloch, Scott, Wilson, Mess, Buchan (Stott 87), Milne (McKinstry 67), Youngson, Michie, McKimmie (Gordon 51), Calder.