IT was a crucial day in the title race, a day on which Inverurie Locos had to win to stay in it, and they duly did so, in the process ending a six month unbeaten League run held by the visitors.

Buckie Thistle had not lost since going down 5-2 at Forres in the early stages and with only seven League goals conceded since then they went into this game as rightful favourites with two wins over Locos this season, five goals scored, none conceded.
In the end it was a day when all the old qualities of the Red and Blacks came out in force, a sold defensive display, well taken goals and a never say die attitude, all much to the satisfaction of boss Dave Cormie.

He said: "The difference was in the way we defended as a whole back four. More like the Locos I know. Steven Park and Mark Simpson never lost a challenge and that gives you the basis on which to build. We had a rub of the green, they hit the bar through Andy Low, but with Scott Buchan waiting for it to come down.

"We created the chances and knew we could score the goals and Gauldy did that. Lewis McKimmie may be on the transfer list because of the queue of strikers we have but with Scott Michie and Kenny Coull out we gave him his chance and he worked hard. We were in their faces and never gave them a break."

Confidence-wise the result could not have come at a better time. Cormie added: "I know we can play but when we go through a bad spell you look for a roll up of the sleeves. We had to graft against Rothes but this time we worked hard to make our own luck.

"Football is built on confidence Buckie arrived bouncing and ready but I have to say they were very gracious in defeat, they are a fantastic football club. Some you win some you lose but we feel we have lost more than our fair share of the points and yesterday maybe just puts us back into the mix."

It only took four minutes for Locos striker Neil Gauld to force a save out of Kevin Main. A Ritchie Singer long throw evaded the Buckie defence allowing Gauld the opportunity to control the ball before driving a shot to his right side, with the keeper managing to tip the ball round the post.

Locos almost found themselves behind as on the counter attack, Andy Low found himself one on one with an out of position Paul Jarvie, however the experienced keeper readjusted well and was equal to Low's driven shot and managed to parry the ball out of danger.

Buckie had the better share of possession early on, but the home side began to force themselves back into the match. With the play being focused to the centre of the pitch, 20 minutes had passed before a Neil Gauld half volley from 20 yards, after a Paul Jarvie long kick, managed to regain the concentration of the large crowd.

This was merely a warning for Buckie as with 29 minutes played Neil Gauld put Locos ahead from all of a yard. A Scott Buchan free kick from the right side of the pitch swung deep across the box for Ritchie Singer to head back across goal. With the keeper out of position the ball lobbed over the six yard box and fell to the chest of Gauld to push the ball over the line and into the back of the net.

Buckie brought on David McRae to try to turn things back towards the Jags' favour, as within seconds of his arrival McRae produced some of Buckie's best chances of the second half.

He blasted a shot over on the hour mark then his shot from 15 yards became caught up in Craig McMillan's feet, with the striker blasting the ball goal wards from two yards, it took a brilliant save from Jarvie to push the ball over the bar.

Buckie continued to build up chances and almost punished Locos after Paul Jarvie left his goal line to collect a long cross from Graeme Stewart. Ex-Loco Andy Low took the opportunity to lob the ball goal wards, but with Locos defenders retreating, the bar came to their rescue.

With the game heading into its final stages, sub Alfie Youngson's long shot from the left side tested Main's ability to judge the path of the ball in windy conditions before Buckie hit Locos on the counter attack. Graeme Stewart set up Andy Low, who curled a low shot to Jarvie far post, leaving the keeper to produce a brilliant save.

However, with only three minutes remaining it was the home side which clinched a second goal to confirm all three points. Youngson produced a low cross, dipping into the six yard box, this allowed Neil Gauld to nip ahead of Kevin Main and flick the ball over the keeper into the back of the net from two yards to the delight of the home support.

Inverurie Locos: Jarvie, Graham, Buchan, Wilson, Simpson, Park, McWilliam (Milne 54), Ross, McKimmie (Youngson 65), Gauld, Singer. Subs not used: Mess, McCulloch, Brownie.
Buckie Thistle: Main, Shewan (Bruce 67), Duncan, Mackinnon, Matheson (Macrae 60), Small, T. Low, Stewart, A. Low, MacMillan, Macdonald (N. Davidson 67). Subs not used: R Davidson, Strong.

This Saturday (March 1) it's the third straight home match in a row as Lossiemouth come to Harlaw Park on Fosters League Cup first round duty. It's a welcome break from the hectic League action, but Locos can take satisfaction in going into the game on the back of a great day.

With champions Keith having an enforced day off, Cove Rangers, Deveronvale, Fraserburgh and obviously Buckie dropping points it was a great day for the Inverurie side, but also for Huntly too who come back into contention. Locos v Lossiemouth is at Harlaw Park at 3pm. The game will be played to a finish.

Meanwhile, the Inverurie Locos Under 19 success story continues. On Sunday (February 24) afternoon at Fraserburgh they advanced to the semi-final of the Highland Youth Cup.

Ardevan Djahansovzi netted two and Chris Strachan the other, Nico Marchi getting a Broch consolation with the home keeper also saving a Craig Macklin penalty.

Other scores were: Banks O'Dee 1, Keith 4; Buckie Thistle 0, Deveronvale 1; Muir of Ord 1, Cove Rangers 0.

The semi-finals on March 23 will be: Muir of Ord v Inverurie Locos; Keith v Deveronvale.