Operating with one of the smallest player pools in the top league, the Royal Burgh club were hit by the close-season retiral of a handful of their big name players, but yesterday's hard-fought 4-2 away win over Oban Camanachd will be hugely encouraging for the Saffrons.

Interim player-manager Garry MacPherson scored in the first minute and further goals from Euan McMurdo and Lewis McNicol in the opening 10 minutes looked to have put Inveraray on easy street.

But Oban clawed their way back into contention with goals from Gavin Stobbart and Scott MacMillan before McMurdo's second with just eight minutes remaining sealed the points.

Kingussie, another team in a rebuilding phase, earned maximum points from their clash with Lochaber, scoring late on through Thomas Borthwick (2) to secure a 2- 0 win.

Kyles Athletic are the only other side on maximum points following a 1-0 win over Glenurquhart in a drab game at Drumnadrochit. Roddy MacDonald struck in the 28th minute to secure a solid away win for the Tighnabruaich side.

Champions Newtonmore had to settle for a share of the points after being held to a 2-2 draw by Lovat. Fraser MacKintosh struck for the visitors in the 12th minute, but Lovat carried a 2-1 lead in at the interval, courtesy of goals from Calum MacAulay and Greg Matheson. Danny MacRae grabbed an equaliser in the 72nd minute.

Fort William and Kinlochshiel shared a similar scoreline as they picked up their first points of the season. Finlay MacRae hit a double for the Wester Ross side with Ryan Campbell also netting twice for the Fort.