A frighteningly good comeback thwarted a Hallowe’en shocker of a result.

Highland League champions and leaders Brora Rangers were facing a nightmare result when they trailed a visiting Lossiemouth side 2-0 after 33 minutes.

But the Cattachs, even with a string of players missing, came up with a trick to treat their supporters to a revival.

Helped by Ben Barron’s hat-trick - the eighth treble of Brora’s season already - the unbeaten table toppers emerged as 4-2 winners.

Keane Matheson put the Coasters in front and when Lian harvey added a 33rd minute penalty, a real surprise was on the cards.

But Barron had other ideals, striking twice before the break to lessen the shock impact.

James Anderson’s 23rd goal of the campaign edged the Sutherland men ahead for the first half and Barron’s 17th ended Lossie’s brave effort.

Barron wasn’t the only hat-trick scorer in north football, as Aberdeen loan teenager Heath Duncan continued his superb debut season in north football with a treble in the derby clash at Rothes.

The 17-year-old netted just before the break at Mackessack Park and added two more by the hour mark to take his personal tally to 12 and seal a 3-0 Maroons success.

Two Matty Jamieson goals helped Forres Mechanics to a 4-2 victory in their first league visit to Invergordon.

Jamieson struck early and Calum Frame quickly followed it up, with a second Jamieson effort before the break seemingly putting the Cans on easy street.

Copeland Thain got one back for the north side before Ross County loanee Greg Ferguson made it 4-1 to Mechanics, rendering his Dingwall team-mate Joe Coyle’s seventh strike of the season to be no more than a consolation.

It’s not been a good Scottish Cup for Highland League teams as two more tumbled out in rearranged second round ties.

Grady McGrath’s early opener for Banks o’ Dee proved fruitless in a 3-1 loss at Cumbernauld Colts - the first game was abandoned last week.

And Formartine United fell to an 83rd minute winner for Johnstone Burgh in a 1-0 loss.

Only Brora Rangers and Clachnacuddin have survived in the competition through two rounds, out of the 18 Highland League clubs.

On league business, Cole Anderson made it seven goals in six games for Inverurie Locos with a second half double to defeat Wick Academy 2-0 and keep his team in second spot.

Huntly continued a fine run of form with a 4-0 success over Nairn County.

Sam McLean and Angus Grant netted in the final two minutes of the first half, with Sam Robertson and Dylan Shaw extending the gap in the second half.

Turriff United conceded a stoppage time equaliser to Wick a week earlier but turned the tables on Saturday with Sam Bavidge’s leveller against Fraserburgh after 90+5 minutes.

The Broch had led through Bryan Hay’s first half penalty.

Clachnacuddin are fifth after a 3-1 success at home to Strathspey Thistle.

Shae Keogh, Jordan MacRae and Craig Lawrie netted for the Inverness side with Kyle MacLeod’s penalty replying for Jags, who later had Ryan McRitchie sent off.