Dufftown suffered a narrow defeat after a tousy Grill League Cup encounter with Superleague side Hall Russell United in Aberdeen.

Dufftown manager Paul Lamberton made four changes to the side that was defeated by Deveronside in Dufftown's last match.  Out went Alan Shearer, Mark McManus, Gary Simpson and Rab Coll to be replaced by Blair McDonald, William Siford (signed on loan from Rothes), Scott Cameron and Kris Geddes.

The match was to start in disastrous fashion for Dufftown with both of the home sides goals coming in the opening four minutes.

As early as the first minute Hall Russell United opened the scoring.  A scramble in the Dufftown penalty area saw the ball eventually find its way to Calum Erskine and the striker made no mistake slotting the ball home from close range.

Just three minutes later and the home side's advantage was doubled.  This time it was to be a mistake involving Dufftown goalkeeper Scott Riddoch and defender Peter Fraser that was to lead to the goal, striker Cameron Bruce being presented with the easiest of chances, sidefooting the ball into the net. 

The first half was to be played almost exclusively in the Dufftown half with the Dufftown players only being able to retain possession for short periods of time allowing their weary defenders the chance of a breather.

Hall Russell United almost grabbed a third goal after 32 minutes.  Midfielder Barry Milne gained possession some 25 yards out before unleashing a powerful right footed effort that whistled just wide of Dufftown 'keeper Riddoch's left hand post.

Five minutes later and this time it was United's Grant Mitchell who played a fine through ball which beat the Dufftown offside trap leaving striker Cameron Bruce to run through on goal but his touch deserted him and the chance was gone.

Dufftown then had a half hearted appeal for a penalty after 42 minutes.  Midfielder Scott Cameron showed good aggression and running power to burst into the United penalty area but he seemed to go down rather easily and referee Ian Bailey was not convinced and waved play on.

Into the second half and the pattern of Hall Russell United domination was to continue although they had a lot of the ball they were finding the Dufftown defence tough to break down and chances were at a premium.

Dufftown 'keeper Scott Riddoch  pulled off a fine double save after 56 minutes to keep his side in the match.  Hall Russell United midfielder Callum Innes was the man who was twice denied at point blank range by excellent reaction saves from the young 'keeper.

Dufftown began to get a foothold in the match as it entered the final twenty minutes.  A fine run by substitute Andrew Ross saw him brought down by home defender Gordon Russell.  Referee Bailey booked Russell for the foul but also saw fit to book Ross for his dissent towards the referee.

It seemed that set pieces would be Dufftown's best chance of getting something from the match and they really should have pulled a goal back after 82 minutes.  A superb corner kick from Andrew Ross found Paul Lamberton in space inside the United penalty area but the player-manager's free header arrowed wide of home 'keeper Craig Duguid's right hand post.

Substitute Andrew Ross was to be red carded with four minutes remaining after a moment of madness.  The Dufftown player lunged wildly at United defender Gordon Russell leaving referee Ian Bailey with no option but to show him a second yellow card and ultimately a red card.

10-man Dufftown then grabbed a consolation goal in the final minute of the match.  A free kick was swung over from the left by substitute Gordon Stepien to the head of Gary Lamberton and the big defender was able to pick out team-mate Blair McDonald who couldn't miss with his header from only a yard out.

The final whistle was blown a short time later and Dufftown manager Paul Lamberton will have been frustrated that his side only started playing in the last ten minutes of the match.