Dufftown made it three wins in three matches with a superb victory at Humbug Park in the first round of this season's Emirates Scottish Junior Cup.

Co-managers Willie Duncan and Rab Mulheron made 4 changes to the side that defeated Formartine United last weekend.  Out went Kevin Smith, Mark Taylor, Alan Shearer and Donald Poupard to be replaced by Daryl McGregor, Stuart Lamberton, Ian Cameron and Adam Irvine.

The strong winds that had swept across the country meant that conditions at Humbug Park were blustery, with the wind seeming to sweep across the pitch meaning that neither side gained any real advantage from it.

Dufftown were to create the first chance of the match after 12 minutes.  A Daryl McGregor throw in found Stuart Allan but the striker's effort on goal flashed just wide of the target and into the side netting.

Four minutes later and Dufftown's second chance of the match.  This time midfielder Adam Irvine picked the ball up some 25 yards out before driving in a shot which home 'keeper Dale Wotherspoon comfortably dealt with.

Crossgates first effort on goal was to come after 17 minutes.  Striker Barry Paterson spun inside the Dufftown penalty area but his effort lacked any real menace and was comfortably taken by Dufftown 'keeper Martin Taylor.

Dufftown were enjoying plenty of possession and created the best chance of the half after 30 minutes.  Midfielder Peter Fraser did well to slide a delightful through-ball into the path of Mark Sanderson but the striker seemed to panic and saw his chipped effort sail wide of the target.

Mark Sanderson had another chance for Dufftown just 7 minutes later.  This time it was Gary Spence who fed the striker but his tame effort was comfortably saved by home 'keeper Wotherspoon.

Into the second half and after 48 minutes Dufftown midfielder Adam Irvine did exceptionally well to beat three Crossgates players before driving into their penalty area, unfortunately when the chance of a shot at goal presented itself Irvine seemed to dwell too long on the ball and the chance was gone.

Dufftown had made an impressive start to the second half and after 52 minutes Adam Irvine showed some neat footwork before rolling the ball into the path of Mark Sanderson.  The striker drove in from the right hand side before firing in a low effort that home 'keeper Wotherspoon did well to divert behind for a corner.

From the corner Dufftown were to take the lead.  Gary Spence took the set-piece driving the ball low into the six yard box and Stuart Allan was the quickest to react at the front post, getting to the ball before the Crossgates defence and deftly flicking it into the net to the delight of the noisy travelling support.

Things were to go from bad to worse for Crossgates after 63 minutes when they were reduced to ten men. Referee Gavin Duncan ruled that Barry Paterson had shown serious foul play when involved in a midfield challenge with Dufftown's Gary Spence and sent the striker off.

Being reduced to ten men seemed to galvanise Crossgates and Dufftown were made to sweat as they clung on to their lead for the remainder of the half.

A corner kick from Joe Clark seemed set to be an easy catch for Martin Taylor but the 'keeper inexplicably flapped at the ball, sending it towards his own goal, Daryl McGegor rescued his 'keeper however, heading the ball off his own goal line and away to safety.

The home side's best chance of the match was to come with just 8 minutes remaining.  With the Dufftown players defending deeper and deeper the ball broke to Kevin Bailey who was clean through on goal, his shot from 18 yards was straight at Martin Taylor and the 'keeper made a comfortable save.

The full time whistle was blown a short time later and the Dufftown players rightly celebrated, the club's first victory in the Scottish Junior Cup since 2004.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUdf3kUA4nU

http://www.dufftownfc.co.uk/pictures.asp?grp=Vs+crossgates