Lossie travelled west to kick off the new season with a UMAX North of Scotland Cup first round tie against Forres Mechanics at Mosset Park. Both sides fielded much-changed line-ups from their previous encounter, but it was a couple of familiar faces who proved to be the undoing of Lossie as the home side progressed to the next round.

Lossie went in to the game amid predictions of being this seasons whipping boys, but looked a match for Forres in the opening stages. New signing David Muir was looking particularly pacey, and a clever ball over the middle from Stephen McIntosh allowed Muir to demonstrate his speed as he ran through on goal, only to be narrowly beaten to the ball by Taylor in goal.

Forres went a goal up just after the quarter hour mark. The home side were the recipient of a generous free kick on the edge of the box, and Scott Matheson fired a swerving ball through the wall. The initial strike was well saved by McConnachie but the rebound fell, somewhat inevitably, to the feet of Shaun SCOTT, who tapped in from a few yards.

Forres were doing well at keeping Lossie on the back foot, with the visitors struggling to escape the last third of the pitch. Any clearance from Lossie tended to go too long and bypass the midfield before coming straight back at them.

The home side doubled their advantage just shy of the half hour, and in controversial circumstances. A rare Lossie corner was cleared quickly, and a pass from midfield found an offside Charlie Brown on the wing. The Forres veteran was waved on and sauntered down the wing before squaring to SCOTT, whose positioning was even more suspicious, and the former Lossie youngster managed to squeak home a second despite the attentions of Kevin Stuart.

Forres tried to grab a third and finish the game, but wayward shooting and heading from Scott Matheson and Neil Whyte ensured the ball boys behind the goals were kept busy.

Half time – Forres Mechanics 2 Lossiemouth 0

The visitors came out fighting for the second half, and ten minutes in McIntosh forced Taylor in goals into a fine one handed save after his cross developed into a shot heading for the top corner.

Lossie had an injury scare on the hour as David Hendry went down under a challenge from Neil Whyte. The former Supporters Player of the Year was stretchered to the side of the pitch before making it to the dressing room under his own steam, but is rumoured to be missing for a few weeks.

Without a fully functioning midfield, Lossie had to resort to some unfashionable football. McConnachie launched a goal kick downfield to Coull, who teamed up with Muir to find space for Ellis to have a strike at goal, only for the shot to find the keepers arms.

Forres were still creating half chances for Biscuits, but the youngsters heading was wide of the mark and all went sailing over the bar.

Full time – Forres Mechanics 2 Lossiemouth 0

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