Rothes 1-3 Buckie Thistle

Buckie Thistle struck twice in the last twenty minutes to earn victory over Rothes at Mackessack Park.

A Jack Murray double and a stunning strike from Scott Adams won it for Jags, sending them top of the table on goal difference from Formartine and Brechin.

The visitors began brightly, Max Barry driving at Charlie Macdonald down the left flank and his shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Aidan Wilson then found space in the penalty area for Rothes, but his lobbed effort dropped wide of the right post.

Barry threatened again when he latched onto Josh Peters’ header down, but his curling effort from 15 yards was well saved by Sean McCarthy.

The visitors went ahead on 14 minutes, a short corner finding Sam Pugh just outside the penalty area, his stinging drive was saved by McCarthy, but Jack Murray was there to head home the rebound.

Rothes levelled ten minutes later, a free kick from out on the right by Liam McDade missed everyone in the area and found its way into the far corner of the net.

Macdonald almost made it two five minutes later, but Knight made a good save with his feet from his close range header, keeping it level at the break.

Jack Murray made a marauding run forward early in second half, but his shot from the edge of the area was straight at McCarthy.

Rothes remained dangerous at set pieces and Knight made a great save from Finnis’ powerful header from a free kick on the right around the hour mark.

Wilson then brought another good diving save from Knight with a blasted effort from 16 yards.

Buckie were awarded a penalty on 72 minutes when Murray had his jersey pulled in the area by Finnis. Murray stepped up to slot home his and Jags’ second goal from the spot.

Joe McCabe almost got a third soon after but his flicked header brought a fine save from McCarthy.

A tremendous goal from Scott Adams settled the game on 83 minutes. Lyall Keir won it wide and played it inside to Adams, who showed great skill to turn his man inside and out before smashing a great strike beyond McCarthy into the top left corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Andrew MacAskill almost grabbed a fourth when Adams burst through and laid it back to him on the edge of the area, but his low shot was cleared off the line to safety.

The three points lift the Jags back to the summit ahead of Saturday’s vital home clash with champions Brechin City.

Buckie Th: S. Knight; R. Fyffe (A. MacAskill 60), J. Murray, D. McHardy, C. Ramsay; D. Wood, S. Pugh (c); J. MacIver (S. Adams 73), J. McCabe, M. Barry; J. Peters (S. Adams 73).

Subs not used: E. Storrier, M. Goodall, K. Hanratty, S. Morrison, H. Munro, L. Mackinnon.