Lossie made the trip south to Mackessack to face a Rothes side strengthened by their close season capture of Steve Dunn. With the big keeper in goals and Lossies record of not having lost to Rothes in seven attempts, the last six of which were wins for the Coasters, something had to give this weekend, and somewhat inevitably Rothes took advantage of Lossies inability to put the ball in the net to secure their second win of the season leaving them in esteemed company at the top of the table. 

The sides went at each other right from kick-off, with both in the knowledge that all three points here could prove useful in keeping their distance from the bottom of the table.

Gavin Middleton and David Muir are beginning to link up well, and combined early in the half to send the latter down the wing, only to see his cross headed away from under the nose of McIntosh.

Muir continued to show his ability and his desire to win the ball in midfield saw him break away from two in the centre before dashing down the wing and crossing, only to see it headed to the feet of Middleton who fired wide. 

Rothes took the lead on the half hour. A soft free kick on the right wing was swung in by Macrae and Grant MILNE had time on the edge of the box to control the ball before producing a peach of an overhead kick, which left Stuart with no chance.

The home side doubled their advantage five minutes before the break. Gary Youngson hauled down Nikki Smith on the edge of the box, and Kevin COLLINS stepped up to hammer home, firing straight down the middle.

The visitors had the last chance of the half, when a long punt downfield from Chris Stuart was flicked on by Dougie Coull to Muir who beat two on his run to the box only to screw his shot wide. 

Half time – Rothes 2 Lossiemouth 0

Lee Moir made his entrance as a second half substitute for Sam Wormald, who had struggled in the first half, and Lossie proceeded to dominate the opening stages of the half. Middleton kept Dunn busy, firing in a shot from the corner of the box into the keepers arms.

Dunns goal was leading a charmed life at times, no more so than when a Middleton flashed a shot into the box. The former Lossie keeper was down well, but saw the ball slide underneath him, and fly across the face of goal before being cleared.

Rothes were still involved and Collins managed to find acres of space in the box but his heading didn’t quite match his movement as he nodded an inch perfect cross wide of the post.

Lossie were still pressing for a goal, in the knowledge that a second would probably follow, and a Middleton corner found McIntosh a few yards out. Tosh hooked a right foot shot at Dunn but the keeper blocked well and the chance was lost.

The visitors kept pushing for their first goal of the season and the introduction of Kyle Stewart and Shaun McIntosh certainly added to the pace of the game, but to no avail, as Rothes held on and collected their first victory over Lossie in many a moon.

Full time – Rothes 2 Lossiemouth 0

Team