Kevin Stuart was missing from the Lossie squad after picking up an injury at Inverurie in midweek, and Martin McMullen was missing due to work commitments.

The visitors showed they meant business almost immediately, with Alec Lamb heading wide from a Richard MacAdie corner. Lossie replied through a combination of Matheson and Bagley, with the former setting up the latter for a strike at goal from the edge of the area which sailed just wide of the post.

Gary Weir had proved a thorn in the side of Lossie when the clubs met late last year and he was at it again, threatening on a number of occasions before going closest with a shot which went just wide into the sidenetting.

Wick got the goal they had been looking for after half an hour. MacAdie found space down the wing and made for the goalline, before hitting a low ball to an unmarked David COWIE who knocked it home from inside the six yard box.

Half time – Lossiemouth 0 Wick Academy 2

Lossie were immediately back in the game following a penalty award minutes into the second half. Sean McIntosh was brought down by a lunging tackle from Stewart Ross inside the area and Watt pointed to the spot. Scott MATHESON duly scored to halve the visitors advantage.

Wick restored their two goal lead before the hour with a scrappy goal. The visitors were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box following a low head from George Russell. The ball was passed to Gary MANSON who drilled it into a ruck of players, before taking a wicked deflection to send it past McConnachie. The visitors scored their fourth on 65 minutes, Bryan MCKIDDIE reacting quickest to a spill by the keeper to fire home from a few yards.

Lossie were denied a second penalty following a clumsy challenge on Shawn Scott. Newly on a sub, Biscuits was hauled down on the way into the box and everyone in the ground waited for the referee to point to the spot. As penalty decisions go, this one should have been even easier to give than the spot kick Lossie were awarded earlier but for reasons known only to himself, Watt ignored the protestations of the players and waved play on.

The home side gave themselves a chance when they scored a second with under fifteen minutes left. Scott Matheson curled in a free kick from the stand side touchline and Craig DONALDSON sent a looping header over the keeper to make things interesting.

Lossie had left it too late, however, and Wick supplied the final insult in the final minute to go nap. Michael Stephen forced a low save from McConnachie, but the unlucky Lossie keeper failed to hold onto the ball in the greasy conditions and Gary WEIR was quick to slot home the rebound.

Wick Academy grab the glory and progress to the second round, and will face Inverurie Locos at Harmsworth Park on March 21st. Lossie get the booby prize of a rearranged league game against Huntly at Grant Park.

Full time – Lossiemouth 2 Wick Academy 5

Team