A second half penalty from Jack MacIver gave Buckie Thistle all three points against Huntly at Christie Park.

The Jags changed to a back three, with Assistant Manager Hamish Munro returning to marshal the defence superbly alongside Ryan Fyffe and Innes McKay.

Cohen Ramsay also came into the starting line-up, forward Josh Peters dropping to the bench and Darryl McHardy suspended after his red card against Fraserburgh.

Lyall Keir missed the first chance of the match on seven minutes, getting on the end of a header in behind by Marcus Goodall, but he could only sclaff his shot well wide.

Buckie were denied a clear penalty two minutes later, Joe McCabe scythed down when turning inside Cameron Heslop just outside the six-yard box, but referee Scott Leslie was unmoved.

Andrew MacAskill then brought a save from Cove loanee Jack Robertson from McCabe’s low cross.

A poor kick out from Robertson allowed Jags to create another opening, but Keir couldn’t get enough on his shot to trouble the young keeper.
Marcus Goodall curled a decent strike just beyond the far post from the edge of the penalty area on 36 minutes.

Sam Robertson fired in a decent effort from long range that was well held by Mark Ridgers in the visitors’ goal, and it remained goalless at the break.

Brodie Allen set up Angus Grant with a low cross at the start of the second period, but Ridgers saved well at his near post, before Ramsay pinged a great ball in behind for MacIver, only for Robertson to race from his line and block the young midfielder’s blasted effort.

Ramsay then showed great persistence to steal the ball from Kai Watson in the left corner of the penalty box, and was subsequently brought down by the former Aberdeen full back. MacIver slammed the penalty low to Robertson’s right to open the scoring.

Keir got on the end of a superb MacIver delivery from the right but his effort on the stretch went just wide of the far post.

Huntly had a penalty claim of their own turned down on 71 minutes for a potential handball in the area, but referee Leslie again wasn’t having any of it.

Allen then fired a free kick over the crossbar from 22 yards as the home side pushed for an equaliser.

Fyffe almost made it two at the other end, flicking the ball over at the near post from another dangerous MacIver free kick, before MacIver whipped another set piece to the near post and Robertson dived to push it around the post.

Former Jag Callum Murray got on the end of a Connelly cross from the right but couldn’t trouble Ridgers, then Brodie Allen floated in a free kick that was headed well wide by Sam Robertson.

Buckie held on to secure a vital victory, putting an end to their run of defeats and giving boss Lewis Mackinnon his first win in charge. They’ll aim to continue that form when Wick Academy visit Victoria Park on Saturday.

Buckie Th: M. Ridgers; R. Fyffe, H. Munro, I. McKay; J. McCabe (C. Cormack 84), S. Pugh(c), M. Goodall (D. Wood 79), C. Ramsay (F. Robertson 66); J. MacIver, A. MacAskill, L. Keir (J. Peters 66).

Subs not used: E. Storrier, S. Morrison, K. Fraser, L. Baxter (T)

Goal: J. MacIver (51 pen)