The first twenty minutes were Forres' best of the game, they passed the ball well and create some good chances. The first came just two minutes from the start when Simon Allan's cross on the right flank fell dropped to the head of Scott Moore but Ross Bremner parried the effort away.

Six minutes later Moore played the ball across the box to set up Kenny Hendry but his effort could only hit the side netting.  Then Fraser Bremner set Ian Penwright free on goal with a through ball with the outside of the foot but Penwright couldn't get his shot on target.

Both sides had to make early substitutions, Craig Dorrat picked up a knock and hobbled off the park on 19 minutes, and John Mutch replaced Jordan Main 8 minutes later.

Huntly's first oppurtunity of the game came on the half hour when Stuart Soane's quickly taking short corner to Richard Craig wasn't picked up by the Forres defence, Craig's cross was met by the head of Michael Morrison but his effort went just wide of the far post.

In goals for the suspended Stuart Knight was new signing Andrew Watt and he nearly got an assist on his debut. Watt's long kick out dropped into the path of Hendry but the strikers volley was wide of the mark.

Forres should have gone in at half-time at least two up, Nathan Sharp was unlucky when his header from Allan's free-kick hit the bar and Kevin Collins had a chance saved by Bremner just before half time.

Half time: Forres Mechanics 0 Huntly 0

The second half saw Huntly take control of the game and press the Mechanics back. On 52 minutes Soane's corner on the right hand side was flicked at the near post by Ross Campbell and Morrison's effort from ten yards was gathered up by Watt.

The former ICT keeper showed no pressure on his debut and showed it when he was played the ball at his feet and had Russell Guild hunting for the ball, Watt calmly shimmied past the strikers challenge and played the ball away to safety.

Watt came to Forres' rescue on 55 minutes when Michael Ewen was found in space in the box, Ewen controlled the ball with his chest and volley at goal but Watt blocked the effort and then gathered up Soane's rebound from the edge of the box.

Huntly captain Michael Morrison was beginning to get frustrated as the centre back had a number of chances to get on the scoresheet but he was having no luck and again missed an opportunity on 67 minutes.

Top scorer Russell Guild had the best chance of the half when he collected the ball just inside Forres territory and made a burst towards goal, the striker got as far as the edge of the box before shooting a low shot at goal, his effort beat Watt but not the woodwork.

Just when a stalemate seemed on cards, with 8 minutes to go, Forres gifted a free-kick on the right flank and setup an opportunity for Huntly. Substitute Michael Ewen got his head on Soane's cross, his effort hit the underside of the bar and bounced just over the line to give Huntly a late winner.

Huntly could have added a second just a minute from the restart when Soane's volley from the edge of the box was en route towards goal, but Watt got fingertips to the ball and put it behind for a corner.

Full Time: Forres Mechanics 0 Huntly 1
Reporter: Michael Mutch