Cove held on to top spot in the Highland League despite failing to get the the better of Inverurie Locos in a hard-fought stalemate at Allan Park.
The leaders were forced to settle for a point as Locos, who had Andrew Bisset sent off in stoppage time for a second booking, gave as good as they got for the entire 90 minutes.
Inverurie remain the last side to win at Cove in the league – three seasons ago. They fully merited their point after dominating the first half and defending resolutely in the second.
A couple of robust challenges set the tone with Locos man Neil MacLean picking up an early booking after an swipe at Eric Watson.
The visitors were also keen to shoot on sight when the opportunity arose.
Neil Gauld tried his luck with a dipping effort from long range which failed to trouble Stuart McKenzie but the Cove goalkeeper was forced to make an impressive save when he got down to deflect Bisset's angled drive.
Cove awoke from their slumber and Jordan Heads and Roddy Black both fired over the bar before Bisset again tested McKenzie from distance with an controlled half-volley.
There was a minor moment of panic at the back for Locos when Michael Morrison's back header almost caught out Andy Reid but the goalkeeper reacted in the nick of time to gather.
The visitors continued to press after the interval and Inverurie midfielder MacLean lashed a fierce free kick which narrowly deflected wide.
Cove had posed little threat but stepped up the pace soon after. Defender Watson got his head to the ball in the Locos penalty area but his effort was straight at Reid.
Moments later the centre back found space at the back post but blasted the ball over the bar.
New signing Callum Watson, brother of defender Eric, came off the bench to make his debut and almost made an immediate impact when the attacker latched on to the scraps from Reid's fumble but his prodded effort deflected wide.
Danny Milne managed to beat Reid to the ball but his lob dipped over the top and Kevin Webster's free kick smashed the bar late on as Cove pressed in vain for a winner.
But it never came and the teams settled for a share.