After a winter of high profile cancellations and postponements, Inverurie Locos restarted their title charge with a home win over a stubborn Lossiemouth at Harlaw Park. The Coasters kept their hosts at bay for the best part of an hour, but second half goals from Danny Milne and Tran Than Tan secured a vital win for Team Trains.

Chilly conditions played their part in keeping the attendance down, with 330 hardy individuals choosing local football ahead of the mind numbing effort between Everton and Blackburn showing on Sky. Having not scored since January, Locos were under pressure to get off the mark quickly and had the ball in the net in less than ten minutes, Danny Milne providing a finish from six yards, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Much like previous trips to Harlaw, Lossie offered little going forward. A left foot strike from Calum Reid and a curled right foot shot from Scott Matheson, both from long range, were the best the visitors could muster, and XXX in the Locos goal enjoyed a quiet evening.

Locos went close to breaking the deadlock as a dull first half drew to a close. Than Tan had an effort disallowed as he bundled the ball and McConnachie into the net trying to head home from a corner, and the Vietnamese forward set up Milne for a header at goal, which went narrowly over.
 
Half time – Inverurie Locos 0 Lossiemouth 0

Locos carried on where they finished the first half, passing their way around Lossie and pressing for the opener. Mark Smith forced McConnachie into a low stop early in the second half, but the goal was only delayed by a few minutes. Than Tan Tran crossed for Smith, and his knockdown was bundled over the line from a yard by Danny MILNE.

With the goal came an audible sigh of relief around Harlaw Park and with the pressure off the hosts, their play improved and a second looked likely. Than Tan managed to lash the ball over the bar from close range, but was on target with his next effort. Danny Milne chipped a classy ball into the six yard box and THAN TAN was placed to nod home from close range.

With the second goal came the feeling that, even with half an hour left, the points were secure, and Locos rang the changes while Lossie continued to scrap for possession. Darren McConnachie kept the score down with a save from Mark Smith, but Locos were saving themselves for the weekend and created little else.

The last chance of the game fell to Sean McIntosh, but his injury time shot was sliced high over the bar and the net behind the goal. As the ball sailed into the dark, the referee blew for time, and Lossie once again departed Harlaw with nothing to show for their efforts.

The Coasters now face Wick Academy in the Highland League Cup, with the winners facing either Locos or Cove Rangers at home in round two.

Full time – Inverurie Locos 2 Lossiemouth 0

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