Lossiemouth brought their season to a close this weekend with a 1-1 draw at Grant Park against Brora Rangers. The Coasters trailed heading into the break, but sustained pressure in the second half saw an equaliser arrive via the now traditional route of ignored penalty appeals and goalmouth scrambles, with Martin McMullan forcing the ball home to earn Lossie a point.

A beautiful day met the sides onto a lush green but hard Grant Park, and Brora immediately took charge. Lossie strolled through the opening stages in the same gear as the previous week against Wick, a dangerous tactic against a team as fast as Brora. The visitors made all the early running, with Ricky Wardrop and Mark Kennedy particularly wasteful in front of goal.

Brora took the lead just after the quarter hour. Aaron Christie curled a free kick into the box and Mark KENNEDY ghosted past the Lossie defence and got the slightest of touches to send the visitors into the lead.

Lossie decided to make a game of it, and Morrison put his first chance of the afternoon wide after being found from a Wilson throw. Martin McMullan then tested Michael Gray in goals with a low drive, which the keeper did well to tip onto the post. McMullan was involved again as Lossie looked to level, forcing a great save from Gray from a right foot shot. Kyle Stewart was closest and fired the rebound towards goal, only to see his effort cleared from the line. Claims for a handball on the line by the defender in question went unheeded as Lossie once again received little from the man in the middle.

Lossie were improving but wayward shooting was preventing an equaliser before the interval, Steven McIntosh the worst offender as his volley from a corner flew straight out of the ground.

Half time – Lossiemouth 0 Brora Rangers 1

The second half was a minute old when Morrison decided to try his luck, launching a volley over his shoulder that narrowly dropped the wring side of the bar. Kyle Stewart was causing problems on the wing and set up Sean McIntosh for his first goal of the season, only for the youngster to knock the low ball over the bar.

Broras young star, Sam Mackay was displaying his usual array of trickery, combined with some unnecessary simulation. He was almost in real trouble when involved with handbags with Morrison on the hour mark, but despite the complaints of the Lossie players for an alleged slap, Mackay remained on the field.

The equaliser duly arrived with a little under quarter of an hour to go. Despite Broras attacking qualities, their defence was caught napping a few times and Martin MCMULLAN finally made them pay as he rolled in from a narrow angle, assisted by a melee of bodies that forced the ball over the line.

Lossie had a chance in the final seconds to snatch the win. Wilson drilled a low ball into the box from out on the wing, and Steven Dixon found himself in acres of space to shoot, only to scuff his effort into the keepers’ arms.

The game was over as a contest but there was still drama to be had. Lossies trialist for the afternoon, the familiar Shaun Scott, received a second yellow for punching the ball away out of frustration at more acting from the visitors. With everyone waiting for a red card, the referee turned to stroll away, only for someone to remind him and Biscuits was ordered off.

And that was that.

Despite the season being completed for Lossie, the threat of finishing bottom of the league remains. Fort William have six games in hand and recent performances against Lossie, Clach and Fraserburgh indicate they might have enough in the tank to achieve the six points necessary to overtake the Coasters and condemn Lossie to last place and a summer of ridicule.

Full time – Lossiemouth 1 Brora Rangers 1

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