IT was day one in the Highland League race and while Keith were flying the flag before their game with Forres Mechanics, Inverurie Locos emphasised their deep desire to take the title off them at the end of the season.

It was to be an afternoon of drama against Deveronvale, but at the end of it all three richly deserved points earned with a last-gasp winner.

Deveronvale suffered a pre-match blow when new signing Gary Clark picked up an injury in the match warm up and had to be replaced by Fraser Bremner at kick off. A major blow with Mark Chisholm failing a fitness test and Robbie Brown suspended.

However, Locos were worse afflicted, without Paul Jarvie, Steven Park, Craig Ross and Kenny Coull, so the whole spine of the team was affected.

Locos fielded ex-Keith striker Gary Nicol who signed prior to the match, while second signing from the Kynoch Park club, Sean McKinstry was on the bench.

Mike McKenzie came closest to opening the scoring in the early stages when his lob from wide on the right was tipped over by Kyle Reid making his competitive debut, although the ref thought it had hit the top of the bar and gave a goal kick.

Neil McLean then drove just wide off the upright following a deep Ritchie Singer cross, but Locos fans were celebrating in the 13th minute.

Singer found Scott Michie in acres of space and the striker went on to finish in cpmposed fashion from eight yards for the opener. Ex-Don Michie was proving to be a handful for the visiting defence and he flashed another fine effort wide of the target mid way through the half.

Vale's response was a long range effort from Graeme Watt but the Banffers midfield were failing to get to grips with the home side's midfield as they looked to add to their tally.

Singer shot over from the edge of the box in Locos first attack of the second half but the home side doubled the advantage with 51 minutes on the clock. Michie got free in the box of his marker to cross for Gary Nicol who tapped in from close range for a debut goal.

Vale struck back within 60 seconds and from Watt's ball played across the front of goal Michael Ewen got in front of his marker to slip the ball beyond Kyle Reid.

On the hour mark Vale drew level. McKenzie released Graeme Watt in the box and the youngster rattled the ball beyond Reid from eight yards. Locos were on the ropes temporarily and reduced to ten men after 66 minutes when Singer saw red for a poor challenge on Ewen. Until that point the winger had been the best player on the pitch.
Vale were then reduced to ten men when McKenzie caught Wilson in an off the ball incident to be shown a straight red card by referee Northcroft.

Both teams disputed numerous decisions by the official and just as it looked as though the points were going to be shared, Allan Youngson got his head to a perfectly flighted Scott Buchan through ball to loop the ball over James Blanchard from ten yards for an injury time winner.
Inverurie Locos: Reid, McCulloch (Milne 81), Scott, Wilson Simpson, Buchan, Singer, Youngson, Michie, Nicol (McKimmie 81), McLean (Calder 88). Subs: Mess, McKinstry.

Deveronvale: Blanchard, Dolan, Pirie, Dlugonski, S. Fraser, Watt, Urquhart (Cowie 84), Bremner (Kennedy 60), McKenzie, Ewen, Coutts (Robertson 80). Subs: Stephen, J. Fraser.

Less than two hours before the Vale game, Locos snapped up Keith duo Gary Nicol and Sean McKinstry, deals pushed through in the light of what may be mid to long term injuries to Kenny Coull and Craig Ross.

Harlaw Park supremo Kevin Will was relieved to have both players on board: "Gary is a player Willie Lawson and myself brought to Huntly knowing he had been on the books at Celtic Boys Club as a youngster.

"Coming back from senior football can often be a problem for a player but I loved the work ethic Gary had. He has been plagued by injury in recent times but he has come back and done well at the end of the season for Keith and started pre-season well. I watched him play against Ross County and have had him seen in other friendlies.

"Kenny's injury is to the back and with that comes an unknown time scale, so we felt action was needed. Gary was not signed up for Keith so we are delighted to get him here."

"Vale are one of the former clubs of the centre forward who was at Parkhead as a youngster before going to Inverness Caley Thistle on loan. He was at Ross County at the end of the 90s and also went to Cowdenbeath on loan. As well as his spell at Huntly, he has been at Vale and of course Keith and also rattled in goals galore in the junior ranks with Ellon Utd."

Nicol has just turned 27 while McKinstry also has a notable birthday coming up on August 17 when he puts his teenage years behind him.

He is a highly skilled midfielder who passes and tackles well. He captained the Keith Under 21 side to Aberdeenshire League glory last season after being called up to the full first team squad then farmed back to the junior ranks.

Will stressed his ability to find a young player and give him the chance was proved particularly at Buckie Thistle but he will make the young player aware there is strong competition for places at Harlaw Park

"I have a proven record with young players and giving them the opportunity to do well I always look for the right response. We have a big squad at Locos and I would hate to mislead Sean by promising him he will walk into the team. He knows competition is fierce so he will have to work hard to try and force his way through."