Formartine United player-manager Paul Lawson hopes their late win over Buckie Thistle can be the start of an upturn in form.
Conor Gethins netted a stoppage-time winner to give the Pitmedden side a first win in four games and just a second victory in seven outings.
North Lodge Park boss Lawson said: “It was a deserved three points, our work-rate and effort warranted the result.
“Our results haven’t been great in the last couple of months but we want that to change and hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.
“It’s a win that builds confidence. We put in the performance which deserved a victory and it’s showing the boys we can do it.
It’s the same at any level of football, no matter how good you are, if confidence is low, performances won’t be as good.
“That has been the case but hopefully this is something to build on.”
Lawson hailed match-winner Gethins for his contribution having come on as a substitute just after the hour.
He added: “Conor gets frustrated at not starting games and I can see why.
“But he’s come off the bench on numerous occasions and had an influence, whether it’s scoring or assisting, and helping us get points.
“It was a great kick from Kevin Main, a great bit of thinking and it was what we deserved.
“We speak about the squad we have and it just shows when we all work hard and pull together that we can get results and we had boys coming off the bench adding to the performance, which was pleasing.
“It does give me something to think about and it’s a headache that you want to have as a manager, where you have a squad of boys playing well.”
There was a dearth of chances in the first half, with the closest effort Scott Lisle’s side-footed shot flashing wide from a Kieran Lawrence cross.
But three minutes after the restart, Formartine hit the front.
Andrew Greig was fouled by Craig Cowie on the United left and when Greig’s free-kick wasn’t fully cleared, Craig McKeown’s header set up Lisle to swivel and finish from six yards.
Greig shot tamely at Buckie goalkeeper Lee Herbert when clean through soon after, but the Jags responded eight minutes from time.
Daniel Park kicked Joe McCabe in the area after McCabe reached a loose ball first, referee Chris Fordyce pointed to the penalty spot and Andrew MacAskill found the bottom left corner.
Just when it looked like ending level, Formartine keeper Main gathered a Buckie free-kick in the third minute of injury time and immediately hoofed the ball downfield with Gethins beating Hamish Munro and Herbert to it and lobbing home from 25 yards.
Buckie boss Graeme Stewart said: “It was a poor game and we should have got a draw and a draw is probably a fair result.
“But we didn’t play well and after equalising so late it’s disappointing to lose – we’ve got to hold on.
“It’s a basic mistake by a very experienced player in Hamish Munro and our young goalkeeper should do better.
“It came from our free-kick, so it’s a ridiculous goal to lose and I’m frustrated with that.”
