United's first game since the December 12 saw them pipped by Longside in their McLeman Cup tie at The Meadows, with the visitors going through in the penalty shoot out after the sides finished all square at 3-3.

United looked to be through at 3-2, only to lose the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.
Injuries and other commitments gave United the chance to recall Scott Paterson and Martin Slesser, back from injuries, and also introduced new loan signing Callum Stewart off the bench in the second half.

The Inverurie Locos youngster made an immediate impact when he levelled the tie at 2-2, then looked to have settled the contest in the 87th minute when his shot beat Thomson only to come off the keepers right hand post.

United's lack of matches showed in the first half with the home side unable to pose any great threat to the Longside goal.
United did get the first glimpse on goal when Scott Paterson laid the ball off to Scott Henry but his shot was half blocked and Thomson made a comfortable save.

Longside came close three minutes later when a positive run from Danton took him into the Ellon box only to see his parting effort bobble just beyond the far post.

Longside held a slight advantage for most of the remainder of the first period without causing any real problems until the 38th minute.
Richard Bowman made a fine block to keep out a close range effort.

The ball fell to Longside, whose second try came back off the post and this time Danton pounded to knock the ball over the line, sending the visitors in with a goal advantage at the interval.

United were a much livelier side after the break and drew level eight minutes in when Matty Edmond ran on to a through ball to send a wicked 35 yard effort over the stranded Thomson.

Longside were back in front three minutes later, when slack defending by United at a corner allowed Wood to score with a header.
Ellon turned the game completely round by grabbing their second equaliser in the 88th minute when Callum Stewart headed home a fine deep cross from Scott Paterson then Duncan Chal-mers released Scott Paterson out wide and this time his low cut back was fired home first time by Ryan Petrie.

United had a great chance to double their advantage when Duncan Chalmers was brought down in the box but Scott Henry's reliable right boot let him down this time as he pulled his spot kick just the wrong side of the post.

With the game into stoppage time, Danton put the tie into penalties when he managed to beat his marker to an awkward bouncing ball leaving Richard Bowman helpless.

With Longside making a fine job of converting their five spot kicks, Michael Thomson proved to be the hero of the hour with a fine save to keep out United's fourth penalty, sending the visitors into the next round 5-4 on the shoot out.

Ellon United: Bowman, Annand, Allsop, Forsyth, Sle-sser, Henry, Gunn, Chalmers, Petrie, Paterson, Edmond. Subs: Stewart, Irvine, Clark, Chapman
Longside: Thomson, Black, Beddie, Bruce, Craik, Stainton, Panton, Wood, Danton, Davidson, Cowie. Subs: Reid Cameron, Brown, Ross, Hamilton, Christie, Geddes.
lUNITED look to return to league business next Saturday with a visit to Hall Russel United, KO 2.30PM
lTHE winning numbers in United's weekly Lucky Six draw were 4, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 12 and with no one picking the full set, the jackpot for next week's draw will be £1200 with the selection 6 from 16.
The winners of the £10 consolation prizes were J. Henry, Elaine and N. Young.