The McLeman Cup final was dramatically abandoned during the penalty shootout as the council-operated floodlights at Balmoral Stadium, Cove, switched off for the night and could not be turned back on. There was little daylight left when the lights went dark at 21:50, meaning the officials made the decision to stop play, prompting visible frustration from the Buchanhaven Hearts team who led Bridge of Don Thistle 2-1 in the shootout after an evenly fought 1-1 draw.

Harvey Yeats opened the scoring for the Jags with a well placed header in the 12th minute, before Cameron Brown took advantage of a goalkeeping error to restore parity in the 38th minute.

The second half saw the tides turn on numerous occasions between the sides, but neither could find the winner and the match went straight to penalties.

Buchanhaven went first and scored through keeper Darren Batty. Finlay Johnston then slotted home his effort to tie the shootout at 1-1. Buchanhaven’s second penalty was also scored through Ethan Durno, but before the Jags had the chance to take their strike, the floodlights switched off. Bridge of Don Thistle’s Brody Alberts took his penalty anyway and missed, before the referee decided to abandon the fixture after much discussion between managers and the North of Scotland Football League committee.

Further communication on how the game will be continued has yet to be shared.