Caley and Aberdeen rule Highland friendlies

BILLY McKay was again the star of the show as Inverness Caledonian Thistle defeated Forres Mechanics 3-0 for their second Highland win in a row.

McKay, who hit a hat-trick as Keith were defeated 9-0 on Saturday, repeated his achievement by half-time after slotting home on 25 minutes and then banging in two quick-fire counters.

In the second half, McKay went close again before being substituted to give the Forres defenders some respite.

Aberdeen travelled to Buckie Thistle and won 3-0 thanks to goals from Nicky Low, Josh Magennis and the club’s top scorer from last season, Niall McGinn. New signing Barry Robson started in the midfield.

Alex Cooper thumped Ross County ahead early at Clachnacuddin with second-half strikes from two Dutchmen and an Ivan Sproule goal securing a 5-0 win. Kevin Luckassen hit home twice before Marc Klok netted a penalty, with Sproule scoring five minutes from time.

Partick Thistle raced into a three-goal lead at Annan before running out 5-1 winners. Christie Elliot and Jordan McMillan scored in the first five minutes and Kris Doolan added the third on 25 minutes.

Annan pulled a goal back right on half-time when Matty Gibson equalised from 20 yards, however an unnamed trialist made it 4-1 just after the hour mark and the same mystery man grabbed his second shortly afterwards.

Dundee defeated Montrose 5-1, with three different trialists all scoring as well as Martin Boyle and Craig Wighton. Dundee announced after the game that they have signed both Carlo Monti and Steven Doris, who were among the goalscoring trialists.

Morton and Rotherham played out a goalless draw at Cappielow, with the home fans warmly applauding former player Michael Tidser’s late substitute appearance for the Millers.

Forfar defeated Spartans 2-0 at Ainslie Park with Chris Templeman and Sean Mushem scoring, while Salim Kouider-Aissa and John Gemmell grabbed the goals as Stenhousemuir defeated visitors East Stirling 2-0.