Colts were knocked out of the Scottish Cup first round as Huntly progressed thanks to three strikes to cancel out Fraser Team’s early opener.

It was a case of fifth time lucky at a freezing cold Balmoral Stadium after four postponements due to Huntly’s frozen pitch with the tie originally scheduled for Boxing Day.

After just two minutes, Colts found the perfect start as Billy Mortimer pounced on a loose ball before racing down the right and rolling the ball across for Team who made no mistake from inside the area for 1-0.

It was nearly two just minutes later as the ball came back off the woodwork following a corner. James Orr’s men were dominating proceedings in their 4-1-3-2 shape, winning the midfield battle and with the pace to hurt in behind.

Despite this, after the half hour mark, Huntly found an equaliser against the run of play. Glenn Murison picked up the ball on the edge of area and with no pressure on him was able to curl an excellent effort out of the reach of Jonathan Grier. That was a blow for Colts but they began to find their feet again through Mortimer as the winger picked out Craig Murray who’s curling effort flew inches wide.

The start to the second period was more even as both sides struggled to keep the ball. Ten minutes into the half, it was Huntly who took the lead. Reece McKeown was played in down the left before cutting in and eventually finding the net despite Grier getting a touch as the ball lopped home.

With 15 minutes to play, Colts really started to push forward in search of a leveller. Huntly had the linesman’s flag to thank that it didn’t come from a free-kick after Euan Storrier was beaten, but the finish from yards out was ruled offside.

The highlanders rode their luck again as Lewis Bonar lashed a golden chance wide of the post when he really ought to have found the net. Colts had plenty of chances and threatened again from a corner but this time it was frustratingly flicked over the bar.

The final exchanges saw constant pressure from Colts but somehow the goal never came. Huntly wrapped up the game late on as Gavin Elphinstone was played through on the break before a calm finish into the corner.

The trip home was a long one for Colts who deserved much more from this game but weren’t clinical enough.