RAMPANT Forres Mechanics rattled in eight goals against lowly Rothes.
The Mosset Park men took almost half an hour to break the deadlock.
However, Craig McGovern's goal opened the flood gates and Ross Archibald grabbed a 15 minute hat-trick before half-time.
Scott Moore's cross cum shot made it 5-0 at the break.
Rothes defender Scott Dunn pulled one back five minutes after the restart from a free-kick.
However, that was only temporary respite for the Speysiders, with new player-coach Frani More in the dugout.
Archibald grabbed his fourth goal of the game before Ryan Mackintosh and Graham Fraser completed the rout.
Forres fans gave a rousing welcome for Lee Fraser when the striker replaced Archibald 15 minutes from the end, signalling his return to the side after a year out through injury.
"As the game wore on the more dominant we became. It was very comfortable in the end," said Forres boss Charlie Rowley.
Ross Archibald added: "It was my home debut and it couldn't have gone any better to be honest."
More admitted he has a big rebuilding job at Rothes, but is relishing the challenge.
"I knew before I got offered the job it was going to be a big job with the results they have been having this season. Today just typified it and shows there is a lot of work to do," he said.
The other big scorers were league leaders Cove Rangers who thumped Turriff Utd 7-0.
Lossiemouth pushed Formartine Utd all the way but conceded a late goal in a 2-1 defeat. Jordan Main had levelled for the Coasters 12 minutes from time, but the visitors grabbed a winner in the 88th minute.
Deveronvale won the coastal derby against Buckie Thistle at Victoria Park by one goal to nil, thanks to Robert Morrice.
Keith had a good away day at Fraserburgh, running out 3-2 winners.
Elsewhere there were wins for Brora at home to Strathspey 3-0, Inverurie Locos were 4-1 winners at Fort William, and Nairn beat Clach 3-2.
Huntly's game at Wick Academy was postponed.
