Inverurie Locos ran out worthy winners in a keenly-contested affair against Formartine United at Harlaw Park.
The 3-1 win leaves Locos sitting in third spot in the Highland League with Formartine dropping to ninth after four wins and four defeats from their opening eight games.
Locos’ new manager Richard Hastings said: “The three points are massive for us.
“I’m delighted for the boys and I said that to them in the dressing room.
“It wasn’t a perfect performance by any means but our work-rate was there and we had that bit of quality when we needed it in front of goal.
“The boys fought for each other and backed each other up and that gives me huge building blocks for the weeks to come. Overall, I’m just delighted for them.”
Locos started strongly and only the outstretched foot of Balint Demus denied Calum Dingwall the opener against his former club.
Locos opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Sam Burnett fed Greg Mitchell and he beat Demus with a curling 12-yard drive.
At the other end Andy Greig jinked his way up the left flank and cut inside but his drive flew over the top without troubling Andy Reid in the home goal.
Inverurie doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Robert Ward’s superb floated chip beat Demus.
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Three minutes into the second half Formartine threw themselves a lifeline when full back Jonny Crawford sent a downward header past the diving Reid
A minute later Reid dived to his left to turn away a 25-yard drive from Cole Anderson.
It was an improved display from Formartine in the second period after their insipid first half performance.
In the 71st minute home keeper Reid was swiftly off his line to clear well as substitute Daniel Park closed in.
Two minutes later Locos were awarded a penalty when Kieran Lawrence brought Nathan Meres down in the box and Kieran Shanks gave Demus no chance from the spot.
With 10 minutes to go only a fabulous save from Demus prevented Locos substitute Neil Gauld from making it 4-1 for the home side.
Formartine manager Paul Lawson said: “It’s certainly not the result we were looking for, especially after our last two league games.
“We were looking to get something from this one but it wasn’t to be.
“We didn’t start the game well at all but we were probably the better team for the first 20 minutes of the second half.
“When you’re in charge for 20 minutes and the game lasts for 90 minutes it just isn’t good enough.
“I have no complaints about the result.
“We came out in the second half, got our goal and that was the time to get back into it but we then conceded a penalty.
“I don’t think it was a spot-kick but when you give the referee a decision to make you always run that risk.”
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