Dufftown's inability to capitalise on some excellent first-half chances saw them succumb to a 3-1 defeat against Fraserburgh United in their latest North Region Division One match. 

Co-managers Willie Duncan and Rab Mulheron made three changes to the side that suffered defeat against Buchanhaven Hearts last weekend.  Out went Kevin Smith, Stuart Allan and Sanuk Stephen to be replaced by Peter Fraser, Alan Gray and Ryan Dyer.

Dufftown started the match on the front foot and almost took the lead in the opening minute.  A free-kick from the Dufftown right by captain Stuart Lamberton found the head of Adam Irvine but the midfielder's free header drifted over the crossbar.

Fraserburgh were to take the lead after only two minutes with their first attack of the match.  A long ball over the Dufftown defence was picked up by Graeme McLennan.  The Fraserburgh man drove the ball across the Dufftown six yard box and with the Dufftown defence failing to clear the danger the ball broke to Steven Lawrence, who kept his composure and beat Dufftown 'keeper Martin Taylor to give his side the lead.

The next chance of the match was to fall to Dufftown after only 5 minutes.  This time striker Mark Sanderson's corner found midfielder Gary Spence but the 27 year old's header flew over the Fraserburgh crossbar and the chance was gone.

Fraserburgh almost doubled their advantage after 9 minutes.  This time some fine link-up play between Lawrence, Ian Bisset and Neil Heron saw the latter's effort fly wide of Martin Taylor's goal.

Dufftown were giving as good as they were getting during the first half and their next chance was to fall to Adam Irvine after 24 minutes.  This time the midfielder took too many touches, allowing the Fraserburgh 'keeper Gordon Allan to make a comfortable save from his effort.

The equalising goal was to be delayed for just one minute however.  Striker Mark Sanderson beat the Fraserburgh offside trap before driving the ball low across the visitors 6 yard box.  Fraserburgh Central Defender David Ross was to be the unlucky player, inadvertently diverting the ball past 'keeper Allan and into the net to the delight of the home fans.

The equalising goal galvanised Dufftown who then dominated the remainder of the first half.

Adam Irvine was again causing problems for the Fraserburgh defence but his decision-making again was to be suspect, by means of not passing to a team-mate who was better placed or failing to get a shot on target when the chance was there.

The best effort of the latter stages of the first half was to come from Dufftown's Gary Spence.  The midfielder saw his ambitious 30 yard lobbed effort touched by the fingertips of Fraserburgh 'keeper Allan who then scrambled back towards his own goal line to retrieve the ball just before it crossed the line.

Into the second half and after 48 minutes Dufftown's Daryl McGregor saw his shot comfortably saved by visiting 'keeper allan while at the other end Dufftown's Martin Taylor was the equal of an effort from Fraserburgh's Andrew Ritchie.

Fraserburgh took the lead for the second time in the match after 68 minutes.  With the Dufftown defence appealing for offside the ball was swung over from the left and it dropped perfectly to Neil Heron who took a touch inside before clinically beating home 'keeper Taylor. 

Dufftown's Mark Sanderson almost brought his side level for a second time just 6 minutes later.  The striker did well to create the chance for himself before Fraserburgh defender Neil Forbes blocked his effort away for a corner.

The clinching goal was to come for Fraserburgh in the final minute.  Substitute Ewan Taylor was the creator of the goal, his pass finding Ian Bisset in space and the Fraserburgh man drove into the Dufftown box before placing his shot into the corner of the Dufftown net.

The final whistle went just a short time later and, although defeated, Dufftown can be pleased with their efforts given the makeshift nature of the side available.