Keith 0-0 Buckie Thistle (Keith won 3-1 on pens)

Buckie Thistle crashed out of the Highland League Cup at Kynoch Park, losing on penalties to Keith after a frustrating and goalless 90 minutes.

After a cagey opening, Jack Murray was first to try his luck in the 11th minute with a superb 30-yard effort that curled just over the crossbar.

Jags right back Dale Wood had to stretch to clear a cross from the right at the other end, before Lewis Coull fired a chance well over after Andy MacAskill’s clearance deflected into his path.

MacAskill was next to try his luck with a searing 20-yard drive that flew just wide of the post, then Ryan Fyffe placed an effort wide of the same post with six minutes to go before half time.

Coull was impressing for the home side and he made a vital interception to cut out a dangerous ball in from Darryl McHardy from the left.

MacAskill was crowded out after a scramble in the home penalty area, before Jack Murray drove a shot straight at Craig Reid.

Peters was next to have a go as he fired one just over the crossbar from 20 yards 51 minutes in.

Reid saved well from a stinging MacIver effort, before the former Formartine midfielder almost caught out Reid with a mis-hit cross that swerved just wide.

Jags introduced Hamish Munro for the injured Ryan Fyffe, then Lyall Keir replaced Scott Adams up front.

Gavin Elphinstone screwed a half chance wide from the edge of the penalty area with 20 minutes remaining.

Max Barry then turned well to make space for himself, only to blast his shot over from the angle from 10 yards as Buckie ramped up the pressure with time running out.

McHardy missed a great chance with four minutes remaining, stealing in at the far post from MacAskill’s cross, only to heading straight at Reid from close range.

MacAskill’s low effort failed to trouble Reid with time running out, then Murray flashed a header wide of the left post from a corner.

MacIver hit a shot straight at Reid after working space for himself on the edge of the penalty area, then Murray put another headed chance just over.

McHardy did get the ball in the net in injury time, bringing down a cross well and volleying home, but he was flagged offside by the far side assistant referee.

Full time meant the lottery of penalty kicks would decide this cup-tie, Peters hitting the post with the first one before Elphinstone was denied well by Knight.

Murray and substitute Liam Cheyne both scored, them MacAskill was denied by Reid and Coull put the home side ahead.

Reid then made a superb stop low to his right from Sam Pugh, giving Liam Duncan the chance to win it and he sent Knight the wrong way to send the Maroons into the semi finals.

A frustrating afternoon for the Jags, who didn’t create enough clear cut chances against a determined and resolute Keith side.

Buckie return to league business next weekend with a trip to Spain Park to take on Banks o’ Dee.

Buckie Thistle: S. Knight; D. Wood (M. Goodall 80), R. Fyffe (H. Munro 61), J. Murray, D. McHardy; J. MacIver, S. Pugh (c), M. Barry; A. MacAskill, J. Peters, S. Adams (L. Keir 66)