The pair elected to travel up to stay in McManus’s flat in Aberdeen on Friday night in order to reduce their journey on the day of the game.

Dons loan star McManus netted a double as the Ton came from behind to secure a massive 3-1 win against the Blue Toon.

But on their return home after the victory, McKee’s Mercedes C Class aquaplaned on the A9 before crashing into the central reservation, leaving it a write off.

Thankfully, the shaken Ton men walked away from the accident relatively unscathed, much to their manager’s relief.

Duffy told the Tele: “It was great to go up to a very difficult venue for the second time and to come away with another three points.

“The only disappointing, and concerning, thing for me was that Joe and Declan were involved in quite a serious car crash on the way back.

“We actually passed by the accident on the coach but didn’t realise who it was because it was dark, and it was on the dual carriageway. We only found out later when one of the players was notified.

“Joe’s car was a write-off and that just shows you how much of an impact there was.

“Fortunately, neither of them was seriously injured.

“Declan had to go to hospital for a check-up for whiplash and X-rays but thankfully there was nothing of significance.

“Joe was feeling pretty unwell; there’s obviously a bit of shock.

“I spoke to them on Saturday night and they were both pretty shaken up, and that - the well-being of the boys - was my main concern last night rather than the result earlier in the day.

“I mean, they were very fortunate they weren’t seriously injured and that will be on their minds: they are only young boys, 22 and 20, so they will have got a real scare.

“Although it was a fantastic result, this just showed that football is football. The health of anybody is paramount, and the most important thing for me last night was that those two boys were okay. Thankfully, they are.

“Psychologically, I know myself from being in car crashes, the next time you get in the car you’re a bit apprehensive about overtaking somebody or if the weather’s bad there’s a tension in you.

“But in general they are okay but how they’ll feel tomorrow [Monday] and Tuesday, I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see and assess it from there.” An hour or two before the incident, McManus had bagged a brace to fire Ton to three priceless points against Jim McInally’s side.

And Duffy praised his team’s character after they came back from behind to win 3-1, rallying in the final half hour in the immediate aftermath of a controversial penalty call that went against them.

He added: “It was a very difficult match in really difficult conditions. We had to knuckle down in the first hour. I thought they were the better side for that time and played the more controlled football. We were really just digging in and staying organised.

“Gats [Derek Gaston] made a couple of good saves at good times and kept the scoresheet blank really.

“Then there was a penalty given away, which I think if anybody sees it will know it wasn’t a penalty – it was definitely outside the box.

“The referee gave it as outside the box and his linesman decided it was a penalty, so it was disappointing from that point of view. Nevertheless, once they scored I thought that’s when we actually rolled our sleeves up and really raised our game.

“I really don’t know if the players felt a sense of injustice at the penalty, but for whatever reason it just sparked us.

“We went up a couple of gears, started passing the ball, creating chances, doing the things we’re good at and just being positive.

“The equaliser then changes the dynamic of the game, meaning Peterhead have to start coming forward again, and that leaves a bit more space. And it was space we exploited and capitalised.

“I thought in the last 20 minutes of the game we were tremendous in terms of how we pressed the game and how we tried to win the match.

“Our response was outstanding. The players showed a real desire and determination to get back into the game and ultimately got their reward.

“I think that character has been evident most of the season. There have been a lot of games when we’ve had our back to the wall and managed to get results.

“And to go up there and win against a very good side after going behind early in the second half is a fantastic result.”