Keith ended Formartine United’s four-game winning streak with victory at North Lodge Park.
The Maroons produced an accomplished display, defending solidly and attacking at speed, to take the points.
Formartine player-manager Paul Lawson named himself in the starting line-up. He played in a deep-lying midfield role in front of a back three and tried to create chances from the middle of the park. But it was Keith who created the best opportunities in an impressive first half display.
In the 11th minute Lawson was forced to glance a Craig MacAskill cross behind for a corner and from Gregor MacDonald’s delivery on the left James Brownie powered a header into the right corner from six yards to give the Maroons the lead.
Soon after a long clearance from Keith goalkeeper David Dey found Michael Selfridge and his strike from the edge of the area was deflected inches over.
Midway through the first period MacAskill was even closer as his free-kick from 30 yards rattled off the crossbar.
Home keeper Kevin Main was called into action on the half-hour mark to tip MacDonald’s free-kick from the right wing to safety.
United’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Scott Lisle, but from Conor Gethins feed his effort from the left side of the box crept beyond the far post.
Formartine had a spell of pressure as half-time approached with Lisle hitting the side-netting. But Keith defended stoutly and with Dey untested between the posts they preserved their lead at the interval.
Formartine showed more prowess in the final third at the start of the second half and equalised 10 minutes after the restart.
Craig McKeown’s long ball down the left flank was left by Keith right-back Jack Grant and Jordan Leyden scampered through and finished neatly beyond Dey.
Following the leveller the hosts enjoyed a good spell. A minute after the goal Daniel Park played in Lisle down the right, but Dey raced from his line to smother the shot.
Then just after the hour Graeme Rodger’s clip down the left flank sent Lisle clear again, but this time the impressive Dey saved with his feet.
But Keith responded and took the lead again midway through the second half.
Grant’s ball into the area found fellow Ross County loanee MacDonald – who bent his run from left to right – and the winger lobbed a delightful left-footed finish beyond Main and into the left corner of the net.
Formartine tried hard to get back in the game with Andrew Greig, Aaron Norris and Gary McGowan all introduced from the bench, but it was Keith who were closest to scoring again with MacDonald denied by Main and then McKeown.
