INVERURIE Locos went clear at the top of the table by three points after a hard fought 2-0 win over Nairn County on Saturday (September 8) on a glorious day for football.

An early goal proved to be vital, the Locos players' minds seemingly focussed on getting out of the blocks which they failed to do at Cove the week before.

With the offensive tactics, it was no surprise to see Scott Buchan on the ball well into the Nairn half. Buchan obviously advanced too close to the Nairn penalty box as skipper Willie Barron deemed it necessary to clumsily foul him.

Gary Nicol stepped up to the ball, with the wall breaking, he took his most opportune chance and drove the ball through the gap and straight into the back of the net.

Nairn began to sit back to throw off the home side attacking threat. After a relatively quiet period of time, Scott Michie looked to the unorthodox method of scoring as the striker picked up the ball, nutmegged a defender before chipping from long range, only to see the ball drift wide.

Nairn weren't silent throughout the entire half and had their chance after 29 minutes. Shaun Kerr drove towards the box and came stuck as Buchan closed the run down. He then floated the ball wide for Barron, who screwed his shot wide of the near post.

Locos continued op top as the second half began with Michie flicking the ball over from McLean after 54 four minutes and Nicky Gordon somehow heading wide from a Neil McLean cross after a brilliant supply from Ritchie Singer on as a sub for the injured Nicol.

But it took until the 64th for Locos to secure the victory when Scott Michie confidently strolled the ball into the back of the net. Gordon gained possession of the ball after slack midfield passing by Nairn. Gordon then played the ball perfectly past the last defender and Michie drove goalwards. With only the keeper to beat he scooped the ball past John Campbell
before tapping the ball into the open net.

With the match secured the home side looked for more vital goals to add to the all important goal difference tally. Michie almost grabbed his double on 71 minutes as Craig Ross drifted wide to cross the ball into box, Michie then had time to place his header, but was only able to stick the ball straight into the keeper's hands.

The last chance of the match fell only moments later to Ross. Nairn keeper Campbell, already warmed up from the save against Michie, produced a dramatic stop to tip Ross's shot over the crossbar.

Inverurie Locos: Jarvie, McCulloch, Scott, Wilson, Simpson, Buchan, Gordon, Ross, Michie, Nicol (Singer 50), McLean Subs not used: Mess, Park, McKinstry, Craib.

Nairn County: Campbell, Sanderson, Martin Macdonald (Marc Macdonald 71), Skinner, Macleod, Jones, Mackintosh, Jarvie, Finnigan, Kerr, Barron Subs not used: Lawrie, Main, MacKenzie, Calder.