19-Sep-2009

Lossie suffered at the hands of Nairn County for the second time this season, but were far from outclassed as the expensively assembled Wee County once again laboured to a win at Grant Park. Sean McIntosh opened the scoring for Lossie before County took the lead early in the second half. Nikki Smith equalised for Lossie on the hour, but two late goals secured the points for Nairn

Shawn Scott continued his enforced spell on the sidelines for Lossie, and Nikki Smith returned from holiday to take a place on the bench. Kevin Stuart took part in the pre-match warm-up but was not in the squad.

Nairn started the game with a point to prove after several below par performances, but for all their possession they failed to create any chances of note. Only a speculative overhead effort from former Skiter Steven Mackay tested Darren McConnachie in the Lossie goals. The home side had its first effort on goal with an arrow straight Tony Ross free kick, which sailed just wide of the goal.

A tense midfield scuffle finally got going on the half hour, when the unmarked Sean MCINTOSH headed a Kevin Flett corner down and past four Nairn players on the line.

Immediately from the restart the visitors drew level. With Lossie still mentally celebrating, Nairn fired a high ball over the defence and indecision at the back left room for Willie BARRON to sneak in and nod the ball past a stricken McConnachie. 

Half time – Lossiemouth 1 Nairn County 1

Nairn took the lead for the first time in the game minutes into the second half, this time from the penalty spot following a soft looking decision. Shaun KERR did the honours from a dozen yards.

Eager to give the players in the squad some game time ahead of the upcoming Scottish Cup game against Newton Stewart, the Lossie bench sent on Nikki Smith soon after the hosts went behind, and the summer signing was quick to haul Lossie level. A powerful Lossie attack caused chaos in the Nairn defence, and SMITH fired right footed past Ridgers from the edge of the area to equalise.

Nairn went ahead for the second time with twenty minutes remaining. A free kick from Gregg Main was curled over the wall towards the far post and Steven MACKAY was first to get his head to the ball, powering it past McConnachie.

Lossie were still in the game and were causing problems for Nairn at set pieces. The visitors failed to deal with a corner properly, and Tony Ross took advantage of the loose ball to try his luck but could only blaze the ball high and wide of the goal. Soon after, Martin McMullan headed just over the bar as the Nairn defence somehow held out.

The visitors finished the game seconds before full time when Craig CAMPBELL put the ball beyond McConnachie for his sides fourth of the afternoon.

The sides now look forward to the first round of the Scottish Cup, with Lossie hosting South of Scotland side Newton Stewart, while Nairn County welcome Golspie Sutherland to Station Park.

Full time – Lossiemouth 2 Nairn County 4

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie; Craig Donaldson, Sam Milton, Steven Sim, Dan Smith, Michael Smith, Tony Ross, Kevin Flett, Sean McIntosh, Martin McMullan, Jordan Main
Nairn County - Ally Ridgers; David Hind, Wayne Mackintosh, Willie Barron, Craig Campbell, Shaun Kerr, Steven Mackay, Brian Macleod, Tony Low, Stephen Skinner, Gregg Main

Lossiemouth - Nikki Smith (Dan Smith 57), Gary Macdonald (Tony Ross, 77)
Nairn County -  Trialist (Shaun Kerr, 69), Glenn Main (Tony Low, 80)

Lossiemouth - None
Nairn County - None