Brora Rangers edged closer to the Highland League title with a 4-1 derby win over Wick Academy.
Former Ross County forward Greg Morrison notched a hat-trick to keep the side 13 points clear of Inverurie Loco Works in second.
Player-manager Steven Mackay was delighted to pick up three more valuable points from what is always a keenly-contested derby.
Mackay said: “It was always going to be about getting the result as derby games can sometimes be a little bit unpredictable and at times the form book goes out of the window.
“The message to the boys was just to get the three points, by any means possible, and we did that without really being at our scintillating best– far from it really – but we were still very professional and got the win we required.
“We now need to not get carried away.
“We just need to tick the games off as they come along, although we will have a break from the league campaign next week as we face Buckie Thistle at home in the semi-final of the Highland League Cup.
“After that we can look forward to playing Fort William, either down there or at our place.”
Mackay paid tribute to hat-trick hero Morrison, adding: “It was a great day for football with no wind and a good pitch.
“We played some lovely football. We were really in control in the first half but we let Wick get back in the game in the second half when they came out and almost threw caution to the wind until we got that killer third goal.
“Greg’s second goal was special. He picked up the ball about 35 yards out, drove on and fired home an unstoppable shot home from 25 yards before going on to complete his hat-trick.”
Academy co-manager Gary Manson said: “When we scored to make it 2-1 just after half-time I thought we were the better team.
“I thought that if there was going to be another goal it was going to come from ourselves, and at 2-2 anything could have happened.
“The red card for Jack Halliday just before the hour mark was a turning point. The score was 2-1 at the time and we were pushing hard for the equaliser.”
Morrison fired Brora ahead after being played in by Jordan MacRae but his second was the goal of the game, a screamer from 25 yards.
Academy pulled one back when Sam Mackay netted with the help of a deflection before Morrison completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish.
Brora’s fourth came when Academy central defender Alan Farquhar turned the ball into his own net following a corner.
