Lossie travelled to Claggan Park this weekend hoping to avoid being the first outfit to drop points to a Fort William side who had lost all 17 league games prior to Saturday. It was not to be however, as the sides carved a two all draw to ensure Fort William finally got rid of the ‘0’ in the points column.

The hills surrounding the most scenic ground in Scottish football have seen some incidents in their time but, while no less memorable, it is unlikely that the sight of a referee stopping proceedings to have a condom removed from the pitch will rank as one of the more pleasant.

Fort put the opening incident behind them to take an early lead on a chilly afternoon. Lossie seemed to be unaware of a football game taking place around them as Ryan Haggerty drove down the wing before crossing a low ball to the feet of Norman MACLEAN who had an easy tap in from a few yards to put the home side in front.

Twenty minutes in and the visitors had a chance to level. Morrison found himself clean through on McRitchie and tried to chip the former Lossie keeper, but a fingertip touch on the ball ensured it went just wide of the far post.

Minutes later and Lossie were on level terms. Gary Youngson floated a free kick into the box and the ball beat everyone in the air to land at the far post, where Martin MCMULLAN was on hand to fore home.

Lossie took the lead soon after, and Craig Morrison was at the centre of things. A defence splitting pass from Lossies top scorer sent MCMULLAN clear, and his delicate lob over McRitchie bounced once and crossed the line, despite the efforts of Taylor who slid in in an attempt to clear.

With their nose in front, Lossie went on to dominate the remainder of the first half without looking like adding a third, and although a Morrison shot was cleared from the line five minutes from the interval, Lossie were being caught offside too many times to get a third, and the referee blew for half time with the visitors still in control.

Half time - Fort William 1 Lossiemouth 2

As with so many other games, Lossie started the second half sluggishly, a dangerous tactic against a Fort William side who were by no means out of the game. Crisp passing from the home side had the visiting defence all over the place in the early stages but Fort, with only 8 league goals scored all season, had trouble converting any chances that came their way.

Ten minutes into the half and Lossie started to come more into the game. Good work on the edge of the box from Ellis saw a chip toward Morrison who deflected the ball goalward with a diving header, only for McRitchie to save well.

Soon after, midfield errors saw the ball break to debutant Steven Grant on the halfway line and raced in on goal with only the keeper to beat. With Craig Morrison following on behind waiting for a pass, Grant opted to shoot, but hit the ball directly at the keepers legs, and it bounced to safety.

With just less than twenty minutes to play, Fort started dominating the game, and Lossie played into their hands, sitting back and only half clearing the ball when it fell to a red shirt. A dozen or so passes in front of the box had the Coasters in a real mess, and when the ball was played out wide to Ryan Haggerty, you could see it coming. Sure enough, a deep cross from Haggerty found an unmarked Scott GRAHAM at the back post, and he headed home the games second equaliser.

Lossie had the only other real chance in the game when some chaotic defending saw the ball fall at the feet of Morrison five yards out, but a great save from Macdonald in goal ensured Fort held on for a draw, giving them their first point of the season.

On the back of their two previous results, it was to be expected that Fort William would be of a higher standard than earlier in the season, and it was just unfortunate that Lossie happened to be in the firing line. This weekends game will be far more problematic for Lossie, with Nairn County the visitors. The Wee County have lost only one of their previous eleven games, a fact which will not mix too well with Lossie record against Nairn in recent seasons.

Full time - Fort William  2 Lossiemouth 2