Dufftown crashed out of the GA Engineering Inter Regional Cup at the Preliminary Round stage after a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Stonehaven.

Co-managers Willie Duncan and Rab Mulheron made two changes to the side that suffered defeat to Fraserburgh United last weekend.  Out went Mark Sanderson and Ryan Dyer to be replaced by Stuart Allan and Kevin Smith.

Dufftown's familiar habit of starting matches slowly continued as Stonehaven took the lead after just 3 minutes.  Stonehaven midfielder David Glass saw his shot blocked and the ball broke to Ian Cruickshank who forced the ball beyond Dufftown 'keeper Martin Taylor despite Taylor's best efforts.

The second goal was to come for Stonehaven after just 10 minutes.  With the Dufftown defence appealing for offside home midfielder David Glass raced through to prod the ball through the legs of the advancing Taylor and give the home side a two goal advantage.

Dufftown were all over the place at this stage and were very lucky not to concede goal number 3 after 13 minutes.  This time Stuart Robertson did well down the Stonehaven right before crossing to the feet of Robert Hudson who slotted the ball beyond 'keeper Taylor - home celebrations being cut short by referee Daniel Donohoe's whistle being blown for offside.

Dufftown's first chance of the match came after 14 minutes.  A free-kick from captain Stuart Lamberton found striker Stuart Allan in the box but last season's top scorer failed to control the ball properly and the chance was gone.

Martin Taylor was then to be Dufftown's hero keeping his side in the match with a double save after 20 minutes.  Stonehaven's Rob Armstrong went on a fine run down the Dufftown left before squaring the ball to Ian Cruickshank.  The midfielder saw his chipped effort expertly tipped over his own crossbar by Taylor.  From the resultant corner kick Taylor pulled off a fine finger-tip save from an Armstrong header before his defence swept the ball to safety.

Dufftown were struggling to cope with Stonehaven's movement and pace and a third goal was almost conceded after 24 minutes.  This time Robert Hudson and David Glass combined well before Glass screwed his shot wide of the target when it seemed easier to score.

The final chance of the first half was to come to Dufftown with their best move of the half after 42 minutes.  Adam Irvine and Stuart allan combined well to set Kevin Smith free down the Dufftown right, the midfielder's low cross beat home 'keeper Michael Smith but defender Philip Low was behind him, hooking the ball away to safety.

Into the second half and the pattern of Stonehaven dominance was to continue.  Martin Taylor had to be in fine form throughout the afternoon and after 62 minutes he did well to parry a shot from David Glass after the Dufftown defence was posted missing.

Stuart Allan had Dufftown's first chance of the second half after 64 minutes.  Full-back Gary Ewen did well bursting down the Dufftown left before the ball eventually found its way to Allan.  The striker unleashed a decent 18 yard effort which missed the target by just a couple of yards.

Stonehaven's third goal was to come from the penalty spot after 70 minutes.  Dufftown defender Blair McDonald was adjudged to have pulled back Stonehaven substitute Dale Lucas in the penalty area leaving referee Donohoe with no option but to point to the spot.  Stonehaven's Michael Barbour took the kick, wrongfooting Martin Taylor to make the score 3-0.  Dufftown's Blair McDonald and Gary Spence were both shown yellow cards for dissent following the awarding of the spot-kick.

Dufftown had one final chance of a consolation goal with 7 minutes remaining.  Stuart Allan did well to shrug off his marker inside the Stonehaven penalty area before taking a shot which home 'keeper Michael Smith, did well to palm away at full stretch.

The full-time whislt went a short time later and Dufftown can reflect on the fact that they will have to perform much better in the weeks to come if they want to start picking up some wins.