Rabin Omar answered the manager’s call to be more forward-thinking before rattling in a double against his old club Annan.
The Dutch-born Iraqi under-23 international had been urged to get up the park more frequently by Elgin City boss Gavin Price.
The wisdom of the manager’s words shone at Borough Briggs as the hosts completely overwhelmed their Borders visitors.
City were 2-0 up inside five minutes through Brian Cameron and Omar, before Shane Sutherland netted the killer third from the spot after 24 minutes.
Omar’s second of the day late on, in a man-of-the-match award performance, proved the icing on the cake.
The double also meant he has already equalled his goal tally for the whole of last season – three.
The 22-year-old right-winger said: “I’ve never been the kind of player that gets into double figures for goals from midfield. I get forward but somehow the goals have not been coming for me.
“But I’ve already matched last year’s total and I’m definitely hoping I can get into double figures now.
“The manager has been at me for ages about how he wants me to be more of a goal threat, rather than a midfield player who gets about the pitch, makes tackles and starts attacks.
“He wants me to be getting on the end of things and I’ve taken on board what he’s saying.”
With wind advantage, Elgin dominated from the start and captain Cameron netted their opener for the third game running.
After that fine 20-yard strike after three minutes, Cameron released Omar to surge forward and fire in the second two minutes later.
A handball award gave Sutherland the chance to drill home his 19th of the season from the spot and make it 3-0 on 24 minutes.
Annan looked livelier in the second half but their challenge ended on the hour when defender Steven Swinglehurst was red carded for denying Kane Hester a goalscoring opportunity.
Elgin were awarded their second penalty in the process but Sutherland’s chance to net his 20th of the season was thwarted by a diving Smith save.
Five minutes from time, Omar sent a delightful 25-yard lob over the keeper to wrap up a tremendous win.
Manager Gavin Price dedicated the victory to long-standing supporter Alan Stuart, who passed away a week earlier.
Stuart was one of the small band of Elgin City diehards who travel to away venues across the country.
Price said: “That was a fitting tribute to him. He was a good supporter of the team home and away, who the players all knew.
“We’d like to dedicate the victory to him.”
