Inverurie Locos progressed into the final of the Aberdeenshire Shield with a 3-2 comeback at Huntly.
Locos were dealt a major blow in the warm-up when goalkeeper Andrew Reid was suffering from illness and had to be replaced by Morgan Cook.
Huntly made two changes from the side which exited the Highland League Cup on Saturday with Declan Milne and Liam MacDonald both coming in.
There was a claim for a penalty in the 17th minute when a cross by Huntly’s Kai Ross was handled by Eric Watson in the box before the ball rebounded to Nathan Meres whose effort was blocked at the near post by Greg Mitchell.
After Ross’ corner was not dealt with, Christopher Hay crossed into the visiting box for Glenn Murison to head in his second goal of the season.
Midway through the half, Nathan Meres beat his marker down the right flank and crossed for Declan Milne header whose header was wide at the near post.
Locos failed to have a single goal attempt in the whole of the first half and Neil Gauld got into the box only for Hay to put in a last-ditch tackle to keep the forward out.
Two minutes into the second half Declan Milne appeared to be clipped by goalkeeper Morgan Cook only to be cautioned for simulation.
It took 51 minutes for Locos to get a goal effort when Ashley Ballam failed to clear in his own box and Christopher Angus took advantage to roll the ball in.
There was a major flashpoint an hour in when Eric Watson elbowed goalscorer Glenn Murison in the face resulting in two broken teeth, a bloody nose and a concussion for the player.
Watson was fortunate to escape any card.
Nathan Meres put Huntly back in front getting on the end of a Hay cross to fire into the top corner. Neil Gauld levelled things up four minutes later.
Christopher Angus was through on goal only to be denied by a Euan Storrier tackle. From the resultant corner kick by Ryan Stott, Jonathan Smith headed in at the near post.
