Throughout the match, there were very few chances as both goals were scored either side of half time, with Ryan Broadhurst's opener coming five minutes before the break, while Craig Ross earned his goal five minutes after the break.

Locos dominated possession for the entire first half but were unable to pose any real threat, seeing three weak opportunities saved by Fort William keeper John Campbell. This build up in momentum was then to be quashed by Fort getting themselves into the match. The first chance fell to Mike Gillespie, who attempted a 20 yard lob following a terrible Andy Reid clearance, this was to be blocked by Steven Park.

Minutes later, Sean Ellis was to test Reid from distance as he made the most of the space given to him by the Locos defence to sweetly strike the ball at the top corner of the goal, however, Reid was at full stretch to claw the ball round the post for a corner.

It eventually took 27 first half minutes for the first real save to be drawn from John Campbell as Ryan Broadhurst thumped the ball straight at him from within the box. Neil McLean was to be denied minutes later following an impressive run down the left flank.

Another quiet spell of possession was to follow before the opening goal of the match was stroked in by Ryan Broadhurst. Richie Singer carved through the Fort William right defence before curling the ball low across the goal mouth, where Broadhurst was in perfect position to pass the ball into the net.

Half time: Inverurie Loco Works 1-0 Fort William

The second half started off promisingly as Andrew Ferguson almost got Fort back into the game with only seconds played, as he flashed a shot across the Locos goal mouth, only to see Andy Reid parry it wide. This was to be Fort's best opportunity of the half as minutes later, Craig Ross was to put the match beyond doubt and crushed the away aides morale.

An innocuous long ball from Andy Reid create the basis for the goal, but the run made by Ross was the difference as the linesman defiantly left his flag down, much to the Fort William's players protests, letting Craig Ross in on goal, with Ross slotting the ball under the advancing keeper.

Any hopes for a second half goal fest were dashed as once again the Locos found themselves unable to take any advantage of their possession. In fact it took another route one attack through Andy Reid to set Neil McLean up, however, the winger was unable to find the goal after an amazing piece of control inside the box.

Dave Cormie did eventually turn to his traditional striking formation through brining on Neil Gauld and Bruce Cormie, but this was not to have any real effect as Fort William continuously defended with numbers, only allowing Gauld to come close in the final 10 minutes, with his shot rolling wide of the far post.

Full time: Inverurie Loco Works 2-0 Fort William
Reporter: Andrew Raffan