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DUNDEE UNITED settled last night’s Betfred Cup tie at Buckie courtesy of three first-half goals.
Boss Ray McKinnon was satisfied as his team made it two wins from two in the Group C – but an injury to James Keatings was a low point for the visitors.
McKinnon said: “It was a good result. Some of the stuff we played was pleasing.
“In the first half we were excellent and I’m happy with that. Second half, we mentally tuned out a little bit so I was disappointed with that. But it was a tough game and the boys did well.
“The only downer was the injury to James. He’s got a bad one on his ankle which is why he was stretchered off so we’ll find out in the next couple of days how bad it is.”
Highland League Buckie, in their first ever home tie in the competition, were under the cosh early on with keeper Daniel Bell making a good, near-post save from Billy King’s drilled effort.
Bell then produced a fine stop from Paul McMullan’s drive and Keatings curled a free-kick just wide.
But United’s opening goal was on the cards and it finally arrived in 18 minutes.
King broke down the left and although Buckie’s Lewis MacKinnon got a head to the ball, it fell kindly for McMullan to crash a fine volley low into the net. Three minutes later King made it 2-0 with a low shot.
Buckie’s first sniff of goal saw Chris Angus released but a poor touch allowed keeper Harry Lewis to save.
In 34 minutes United extended their lead from a Keatings corner which was side-footed home by Mark Durnan from six yards.
William Edjenguele had a header on target which Buckie defender Andy Skinner nodded off the line.
With the tie in the bag United took their foot off the gas and McKinnon took the opportunity to bring on fresh legs.
Buckie forced a series of corners after the break but United’s night suffered a setback when Keatings had to be taken off following an innocuous Jags challenge.