INVERURIE Locos claimed their first ever Fosters Highland League Cup success with a 3-1 win over newly crowned champions Cove Rangers at Christie Park, Huntly to ensure their fans went home ecstatic despite taking an absolute soaking.

Goals from Neil McLean, Neil Gauld and Gary Nicol were enough to see of a Cove side which had Kevin Tindal and Eric Watson sent off in the second half as the Red and Blacks grew in confidence.

The heavens opened shortly before kick off but the players got down to the task in hand. In the fourth minute Tommy Wilson broke forward and squared for Murray McCulloch who fired the first effort of the game over the bar. Meanwhile, at the other end a Jamie Watt header at the near post was the closest Cove went in the opening stages.

As the rain lashed down and the thunder rumbled around the hills in the distance the game slowly began to open up. Ross McWilliam was set free down the left by Tommy Wilson and his low cross should have been turned home by Neil Gauld but he failed to connect from seven yards out.

A Barrie Stephen corner from the right was headed just wide by Eric Watson in the 24th minute after a thumping volley from Jamie Watt was deflected off the back of Scott Buchan, spinning over the bar, but the opener was to arrive at the other end.

Craig Ross and Kenny Coull worked the ball down the left with the cross being flicked into the path of Neil McLean. He managed to get the ball under control, opening up the goal before lashing a right foot effort into the left hand corner of the net.

Only a great save from Dave Christie denied Martin Johnston a spectacular equaliser. His 22 yarder was arrowing into the top right hand corner of the net until Christie's right hand flicked it over the bar.

Eric Watson then struck a volley just wide of the post from 16 yards with the Cove contingent in the stand rising in preparation of the net bustling. However, they were to get the goal they craved before the break.

A long ball from Lee Windrum found its way into the path of Barrie Stephen via the head of Jamie Watt. The winger charged in through the inside right channel, moving to within six yards before firing the ball low across the keeper and into the right hand corner of the net.

The second half opened with Locos immediately restoring their advantage. Neil McLean won a free kick having skipped past Kevin Tindal at the edge of the area. With Tommy Wilson skipping about in front of Lee Windrum until just before the free kick was taken it seemed that the Cove back line were suitably distracted. Neil Gauld stepped up and drilled the shot low as the wall jumped and Lee Windrum was beaten low to his left.

Kevin Tindal mistimed a thumping challenge on the halfway line on Neil McLean and referee Alan Freeland was left with no option other than to show him a second yellow card - he was booked for whipping the legs from Tommy Wilson on the half hour mark - leaving Cove to play the last half hour with ten men.

A deep Paul Coutts cross picked out Barrie Stephen lurking deeper than the rest but his sidefoot volley from 12 yards failed to hit the target but the chances were few and far between. Locos went close when Neil McLean a run in from the left wing that say him feint his way past two men before striking a shot back across Lee Windrum but from 25 yards it skipped just past the post.

Locos clinched victory seven minutes from time with Gary Nicol, back in for his first game since November, coming off the bench to set the seal on a fine win. Steven Park's ball down the channel sneaked past Eric Watson and was collected by Kenny Coull who drew the last defender before squaring it to Gary Nicol who clipped it into the net from seven yards out.

A straight red for Eric Watson for an off the ball incident made things worse for Cove at the end but there was to be no dampening the mood of the Red and Black Army as they sang and danced in the shed as the heavens opened once again. The celebrations went on and on in the Locos Social Club and pubs afterwards.

Inverurie Locos: Christie, Park, Buchan, Wilson, Simpson, McCulloch, Gauld (Nicol 82), Ross, Coull, McWilliam, McLean. Subs not used: Youngson, Brownie, Michie, Mess.

Cove Rangers: Windrum, Cruickshank, Livingstone, Watson, McKibben (O'Driscoll 77), Tindal, Bain (Reid 86), Coutts, Watt, Johnston, Stephen (Webster 72). Subs not used: Henderson, Pirie.

After the game, Locos' skipper Tommy Wilson said: ""We had a lot of great performances. Mark Simpson was excellent and, although Kenny Coull didn't score, he, like everybody else, played a great part. We deserved to be in front but lost a bad goal. We responded well and went on to win it in style."

Goal hero Gary Nicol added: "My first touch of the ball landed in the back of the net. I hadn't kicked a ball for nearly six months as I live in Laurencekirk and decided to call a halt to spend more time with my family.

"Although I was reluctant to play, it was a cup final and I felt that I could make a comeback. I was a bit worried what other people thought but Dave Cormie has been brilliant. This is the way I wanted to go out, on a high and there to see the fans enjoying a great day."

Dave Cormie lapped it up, praising his team and emphasising the contribution of two unlkely heroes: "I was delighted Gary got the third goal. He has been off the scene for a few months now but was still registered so it turned out to be a dream ending with us only having 12 fit players.

"After two years out of the game you worried for Dave Christie and there was always the likelihood he could have a blinder or a nightmare. He certainly did the business."

And the grin on the face of Chairman Steve Innes said it all: "To win any trophy is a massive for the club but to take arguably the most prestigious one makes us very proud. Cove were the form team so for us to get this result is tremendous."