Aaron Smith led the way with a well-taken hat-trick as the defending champions made it five straight league wins in a row.

Tommy Campbell opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Kenneth Whyte kept up his recent scoring form with a second four minutes later.

It was one-way traffic and Andy Keveren made it 3-0 in the 20th minute before Smith got his first on the half-hour mark.

Campbell was on target again five minutes from the break as Thistle offered up little assistance.

Smith stretched the lead in the 52nd minute and although Ian Innes scored for Thistle after a rare attack, further goals from Keveren and Smith completed the scoring.

Tain Thistle broke their duck after a 4-3 victory over Alness United at Grant Park.

Thistle came close to an opener in the second minute but Burry's dipping shot clipped the outside of the post on its way past.

But it was the visitors who took the lead in the 14th minute when Jamie MacDonald volleyed home a David Manson cross from eight yards.

Thistle hit back and, after Aaron Christie came close with a free kick attempt, Burry equalised with a stunning 25-yard left foot shot which flew into the top corner.

Alness regained the lead in the 55th minute when Manson disposed of a Tain defender and drilled the ball past Tain goalkeeper Barry Nimmons.

But Thistle were back on level terms a couple of minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after Grant Robertson was adjudged to have fouled Gordon Oman in the box. Robertson was shown a yellow card and could do little to stop Daniel Christie's spot kick.

Thistle got their noses in front on the hour when Scott Innes, who was playing his first game of the season, prodded the ball into the net following a Burry corner kick.

The home side were on a high and Burry capped a fine display with another magnificent strike in the 75th minute.

Alness were thrown a lifeline after 85 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Gordon Duff nudged David Murray. The incident looked as if it had occurred outside the 18-yard box but Craig Munro kept his cool to score from 12 yards.

Andrew Miller had a couple of half-chances before the end but Tain deservedly held out for all three points.

A last minute winner from Tony Farquhar gave Balintore the points in a hard-fought 2-1 win over Halkirk United at Seaboard Park.

Halkirk dictated the early play but fortunately for the home side, United's forwards had left their shooting boots behind.

But Balintore got a break in the 21st minute when they were awarded a penalty. Farquhar was taken out after he tried to turn his marker and John Skinner slotted away the spot kick.

But Balintore keeper Ross Henderson was beaten in the 80th minute when Michael Bremner squeezed the ball home from the edge of the 18-yard box.

It looked as if the Caithness side had rescued a point but Farquhar hit the winner when he knocked in a cross at the back post.

Invergordon suffered a late collapse against Thurso in a 4-0 defeat at Sir George's Park.

Gavin Legge gifted Thurso the lead in the 10th minute when he helped a shot into his own net.

The visitors enjoyed a 25 minute purple patch at the start of the second half and Jamie MacLeod, Scott Wilde and Alan Campbell all came close for the Easter Ross side.

But Orcadian Kevin Goodwater scored a killer second goal for the Vikings in the 74th minute with a powerful header.

Worse was to follow for Invergordon when they were reduced to 10 men. Legge was sent off for handball on the line and Willie Inrig scored the resultant penalty to make it 3-0.

Thurso were gifted another penalty in the final minute after David Kennedy fouled an opponent and Inrig again obliged from the spot.

* BONAR Bridge will be looking for their second league win of the season when Muir of Ord Rovers come calling tomorrow.

Bonar boss Billy Russell is looking for a big performance from his players. He told the Northern Times: "It will depend on the attitude of the players on the day. If we don't perform well, it will be at our own peril as Muir of Ord are a very good side. But I believe any team can beat another in this league."

Bonar will be without playmaker Billy Ferries and Sean Henstride, while Rovers welcome back goalkeeper Martin Rae after a long absence and defender Davie Brennan is also available again. However, Paul Gair has work commitments and Steven Pirie is on holiday.

Golspie Sutherland will be expected to increase their lead at the top of the table when they play Invergordon at the Recreation Grounds.

Fixtures, Saturday, October 18:

Port Services Cup semi-finals (2.30pm) – Balintore v Halkirk United; Thurso v Alness United.

League (3pm) – Bonar Bridge v Muir of Ord Rovers; Invergordon v Golspie Sutherland.

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