Lossie recorded their second win over title challenging clubs in a week with an impressive 3-2 win over Cove Rangers at Grant Park. The Coasters came from a goal down at the interval to lead 3-1 thanks to goals from Tony Ross, Nikki Smith and Dan Smith, ahead of an injury time consolation from Cove.

Cove needed a win to keep up with league leaders Buckie Thistle, and the Shire side wasted no time chasing the opening goal. Former Skiter Barrie Stephen rattled the frame of the goal after only ten seconds, before Murray McCulloch drew two saves from McConnachie, the first from a header and the second from a deflected shot the Lossie keeper did well to hold on to.

The way they were playing, it looked like only a matter of time before the visitors would score, and Cove had the ball in the net midway through the half following a Kevin Webster set-piece, but to the relief of Lossie the goal was disallowed.

Cove were not to be denied the goal their pressure deserved, and had only to wait a few more minutes to take the lead. Another set piece caused Lossie problems at the back and Callum WATSON rifled home the loose ball to put the visitors ahead.

Half time - Lossiemouth 0 Cove Rangers 1

Lossie went into the game on the back of home wins over Formartine United and Buckie Thistle, yet in the first half had shown little of the attitude and style which had seen them oust big spending opposition. That was to change in the second half as Lossie tore Cove apart, starting in the first minute of the half when Nikki Smith barged into the area and lashed a shot against Windrums legs.

Lossie kept up the pressure and the equaliser arrived in the fiftieth minute. Dan Smith, the future of Scottish football, lobbed the ball into the box for Tony ROSS to acrobatically volley home. On the hour the hosts took the lead when a well worked free kick confused the Cove defence, leaving Nikki SMITH free to knock the ball home past the four men on the line.

Cove roared back but Lossie defended stoutly following their second goal, avoiding a return to the habit of conceding soon after scoring.

Another goal wasn’t far away but to the dismay of Cove it was Lossie who added to their tally. A sweeping Lossie counter attack tore down the pitch and was finished when Tony Ross crossed the ball low into the box for Dan SMITH to sweep past a stranded Windrum.

Coves hopes of leaving with a point were all but extinguished, and a last minute consolation from Danny MILNE wasn’t enough to haul the Toonsers back into the game as Lossie comfortably saw the game out.

Full time - Lossiemouth 3 Cove Rangers 2

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie: Colin Charlesworth, Sam Milton, Kevin Stuart, JJ Urquhart, Martin McMullan, Tony Ross, Gary Macdonald, Shawn Scott, Nikki Smith, Liam Archibald
Cove Rangers - Lee Windrum: Neil Cruickshank, Dean Lawrie, Murray McCulloch, Eric Watson, Jordan Heads, Kevin Webster, Martin Johnston, Danny Milne, Callum Watson, Barrie Stephen

Lossiemouth - Dan Smith (Gary Macdonald, 27), Kevin Flett (Liam Archibald, 68), Stuart Strathdee (Nikki Smith, 80)
Cove Rangers - Robbie Henderson (Callum Watson, 68), Richie Livingstone (Barrie Stephen, 72), Phil Reid (Dean Lawrie, 78)

Lossiemouth - None
Cove Rangers - None

Referee

Disagree?