With results having not yet earned Lossie the right to a seat in first class on board the train that is this years season, the Coasters instead rolled into Station Park perched in the guards van, desperately looking for a way out after spending six months stuck in the back corner behind eight bags of water-soiled post, and some bicycles belonging to four Scandinavian tourists on their way to being robbed in various hostels and low-rent drinking venues in Inverness.

Upon alighting at Scotlands fastest town for Saturdays game with The Wee County, Lossie found sunny Nairn more than living up to its name. Martin McMullan was denied the opportunity to work on his tan due to being back offshore, but Graeme Wilson rejoined the squad, with new signing Craig Donaldson making his debut.

Sunny as it was, the wind was to play a bigger part in the game, and the gusty conditions had a big part to play in the opening goal. Brian MACLEOD fired a hopeful cross into the box only to see it caught by the wind and sail over the head of McConnachie to get the home side off and running.

Not the best of starts, and not the kind of goal that had the travelling support thinking that today was going to be the day that saw the recent run of bad luck come to a halt. However, the visitors made it through the following minutes without conceding the traditional ‘immediate second’ and endured a spell of set pieces from Nairn that, for the benefit of those responsible, will have their lack of accuracy put down to the wind.

Nairn were evidently demoralised from their shameful defeat to Forres the previous weekend, and struggled to press Lossie back for long enough to get one of the lucky bounces of the ball which proved so useful to Huntly and Buckie in recent weeks. Moments before half time the Wee County ended up ruing their lack of attacking initiative as Lossie scored a fine equaliser. David Blackhall made a run down the wing similar to his charge that saw him score against Buckie previously, only to become provider when he laid the ball into the path of Calum REID who stroked home from a dozen yards.

Half time – Nairn County 1 Lossiemouth 1

The second half presented Lossie with the wind, but there was something inevitable about the Coasters going behind despite the advantages offered by the blustery conditions. And, inevitably, fall behind again they did. Just short of the hour, the visitors were mugged by a well-worked corner routine and Shaun KERR tidied up from two yards after quick thinking from Gregg Main and Chris Finnegan.

Again, Lossie passed through the following minutes without conceding and settled down. With the team now attacking an edgy Nairn side, chances came more readily for both sides. Watson should have won a penalty for Lossie, only to see play waved on, and Jay-Jay Urquhart saw a mazy run stopped just short of goal by Duncan Jones.

A rare lapse in concentration from Darren McConnachie, unfortunately assisted by the heel of Steve Dixon, almost gifted Nairn the third goal which would have sealed the win, but Chris Finnegan was could not convert the free shot at goal offered to him, thanks to a redeeming stop by McConnachie.

Into injury time the game went. All over? Heroic failure? Settling for a moral victory? Nope. A late surge of pressure from the visitors suggested all was not yet lost. With everyone, including McConnachie, pressing Nairn back, the home side crumbled, and with players struggling to get a solid touch on the ball, Lossie won a corner. Blackhall swung it in, and Duncan LAMONT headed home to level the scores.
 
Despite the attempt from Nairn to score direct from kick-off, the referee was in no mood to stand in the wind much longer and both sides had to make do with a draw. The Lossie players celebrated the rarest of results, an away draw, while their support made the kind of noise that would have the Harlaw Park faithful reaching for the earmuffs and crying into the arms of their nearest steward.
 
The league takes a back seat this coming weekend as the clubs enter the first round of the Fosters Highland League Cup, with Lossie handed a slightly more expensive task than usual - that of entering Harlaw Park to take on big spendin', high steppin', manager swappin', title blowin’ Inverurie Locos. After a patchy start to 2008, FC Trains find themselves back in the race to finish second yet again after beating Buckie Thistle last weekend, but will be eager to do well in the League Cup in case things go pear-shaped in the championship. Again.

Full time – Nairn County 2 Lossiemouth 2

Team