Buckie Thistle started their Highland League title defence with a disappointing defeat to Inverurie Locos at Harlaw Park.

Jags boss Lewis Mackinnon made just one change to the team beaten by Dundee United B in midweek, Marcus Goodall coming in for Lyall Keir. Mark Ridgers, Innes McKay and Fraser Robertson made their Highland League debuts.

The home side had the first attempt at goal in the sixth minute, Aidan Wilson turning Greg Mitchell’s cross straight at Mark Ridgers from ten yards.

Zack Ellis then made a good block from Josh Peters from point blank range as he latched onto a loose ball in the six-yard box.
On 21 minutes, Peters latched onto a long ball over the top, but his low strike was blocked behind for a corner by the advancing Ellis.

Cole Anderson put Locos ahead three minutes later, pouncing on a short pass from Robertson to race clear and curl a superb finish beyond Ridgers into the right corner.

The goalscorer hobbled off eight minutes later to be replaced by new signing Zane Laird.

Jack MacIver whipped a clever free kick just wide of the near post from 30 yards in the 35th minute.

Mitchell then volleyed a decent strike just wide of Ridgers right hand post, before Peters sclaffed a shot wide from inside the area.

Good build up play from the Jags saw Goodall head wide from McCabe’s cross to the far post early in the second half.

Peters fired another opportunity over from McCabe’s knockdown, then Mitchell missed a great chance to make it two at the other end, blasting way over from 12 yards when played clean through on Ridgers.

The experienced Paul Coutts made a vital interception to stop Fraser Robertson getting on the end of MacIver’s low cross from the left.

Gaffer Mackinnon made two double substitutions in a five-minute spell, introducing Lyall Keir, Kevin Fraser, Darryl McHardy and Cohen Ramsay in place of Goodall, Robertson, Dale Wood and Ryan Fyffe.

Lloyd Robertson fired a shot straight at Ridgers from the edge of the area on 73 minutes, then McKay’s slack header let sub Ryan Park in, but he volleyed well wide.

Buckie punished that miss with an equaliser 14 minutes from time, Cohen Ramsay latching onto a cross to fire home via a deflection from 16 yards.

Peters then saw his header tipped over by Ellis from MacAskill’s free kick, before MacIver slashed a volley well over as the visitors pushed for a winner.

Joe McCabe made a vital header clear from inside his own six-yard area with time running out, but Locos did grab a late winner from another Coutts corner from the left, sub Logan Johnstone left unmarked at the back post to fire home and send the home fans into raptures.

Ellis had to scamper back to save after Sam Pugh headed his punch back over him from MacAskill’s free kick deep into injury time, but there was no way back for the Jags and Locos held on for the win.

Not the start to their league campaign that Buckie were looking for, they will have the opportunity to bounce back quickly though, when Fraserburgh visit Victoria Park on Wednesday night.

Buckie Th: M. Ridgers, J. McCabe, R. Fyffe (D. McHardy 67), I. McKay (S. Morrison 84), D. Wood (C. Ramsay 67); S. Pugh (c), F. Robertson (K. Fraser 62); J. MacIver, A. MacAskill, M. Goodall (L. Keir 62); J. Peters.

Subs not used: E. Storrier, H. Munro

Scorer: C. Ramsay (76)