Last weekend, Fort kept the heat on Premier league front-runners Newtonmore with a 3-0 home win against Inveraray.

Fort manager Peter McIntyre feels a key figure returning to defence was vital as they gained the points, putting them in confident mood for this trip to Kiltarlity.

He told the LN : "We tightened up at the back and I think having Adam Robertson back was so important for us. We had lost seven goals in our last two games, so to score three goals and keep a clean sheet was a vast improvement.

"We had lost early goals against Kinlochshiel and Kilmallie, so a change in tactics allowed us to get a foothold in the game." He added: "The winner of Saturday's tie is that they'll face either Kingussie or Newtonmore in the next round, so ourselves and Lovat have that incentive. Lovat, with home advantage, will fancy their chances.

"We have played them already at home this season and only won by the odd goal, so it will be a hard game.

"However, after Saturday's performance and result, we go there with confidence." Fort's second string's North Division Two fixture at home to Kinlochshiel last Saturday was postponed as the visitors were unable to field a team.

They were set to be in Strathdearn Cup quarter-final action last night (Wednesday, after we'd gone to press) against Glengarry at An Aird and then host Glenurquhart this Saturday in the last eight of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup.

Lochaber are still in the chase for that sole promotion spot from North Division One - despite Saturday's 6-3 loss against Skye in Portree.

Caretaker boss Michael Delaney remains upbeat after this result, with his side's ability to score offering plenty of hope.

He said: "We got off to a terrible start and were 4-0 down after just 22 minutes. At the interval, we asked the players to restore some pride and there was an improvement. We got it back to 5-3 at one stage and they scored again in the last minute.

"Skye's midfield were very good and we have no complaints because they were the better team, although one or two deflections went their way too.

"The good thing is that we've now had three tough away games, at Kinlochshiel, Inveraray and now Skye and we've scored three goals in each of those games. If we can back this up with more clean sheets, we'll be in better shape." Lochaber's second side were set to be in action last night (Wednesday, after we'd gone to press) against Caberfeidh in the Strathdearn Cup quarter-final, but, like the first-team, have no fixture this weekend.

Fort's Neil Robertson (right) closes in on Inveraray's Gary MacPherson during the hosts' 3-0 Premier Division win at An Aird on Saturday Iain Ferguson, The Write Image

Kilmallie kept their North Division One title bid alive with a 3-2 win against Strathglass at Cannich.

Boss John Morrison, who was in reserve team action, said: "Peter Jackson and Lachie Innes (co-head coaches) were at Cannich and told me that we were a wee bit lethargic in the first half, but there was an improvement after the break.

"Strathglass, I think, were as difficult as we knew they could be, so to take both points was the most pleasing factor." The Caol side face a difficult task this weekend when they go to second-placed Caberfeidh.

Morrison added: "If Kinlochshiel win against Strathglass on Saturday, they could start pulling away, so we'll be going there looking to win. However, Castle Leod is a difficult place to get a result and Kevin Bartlett is one of the best players in this league.

"We have also to bear in mind we have the MacTavish Cup final (against Kingussie) the following week, so we may have to rest one or two boys, although we're keen to get the league win this weekend." Kilmallie's reserves were thumped 7-0 away to Kingussie in North Division Two last weekend and will look for a response in the league on Saturday away to Newtonmore.

Ardnamurchan remain rooted to the foot of North Division Three after their 4-0 loss at Inverness, but have no fixture this weekend.

Boss Stuart Carmichael was disappointed at this shift in form and insists firepower can make a difference.

He said: "Our performances have improved this season, but on Saturday we just didn't show up. We will have to take a long hard look at ourselves because we need to do much better in front of goal.

"He who scores wins and we'll have to get in some shooting practise. Most of our players have settled into positions all over the pitch, but if we had firepower up front, we'd be doing much better." Ard return to league action a week on Saturday when they face Boleskine.

On Saturday, Glengarry were 2-0 victors in North Division Two against visitors Lovat. This weekend, they are in league action away to Kinlochshiel.

Ballachulish, who have no fixture this Saturday, crashed to a 4-1 away defeat against Taynuilt in South Division One.

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