Lossiemouth were knocked out of the North of Scotland Cup at the quarter-final stage following a narrow loss to Forres Mechanics. Following a goalless first half the game burst into life with an hour gone as the sides rattled in five goals.

Lossie were without the suspended Shawn Scott and injured Kevin Stuart, while Ross Duncan made his return to Mosset Park as part of the starting line-up. Forres were without Nathan Sharp and started with title winner Charlie Brown up front.

This was the fourth meeting between the sides this year, and the opening period suggested the teams were too familiar with each other for any surprises. The game bubbled away nicely in midfield but the ball rarely ventured far enough upfield to cause problems for either keeper.

Midway through the first half the first real chances started to appear. Darren McConnachie was alert to a long range effort from Ross MacPherson, tipping the ball over the bar. That lifted Forres and the hosts began a long spell of pressure, and would have gone ahead from a Kyle Scott strike were it not for a last gasp deflection from Urquhart.

At the other end, Lossie had a chance to open the scoring with a set piece, but Stuart Knight pushed away an Urquhart free kick before the ball sneaked in at the post. Knight ensured the half finished without a goal when he saved a deflected shot from Dan Smith.

Half time - Forres Mechanics 0 Lossiemouth 0

Just before the hour, the game burst into life. Veteran striker Charlie BROWN scored his first goal since resigning for the Mechanics when he took possession out on the wing, cut inside almost unchallenged before curling a fine shot over and beyond McConnachie.

The previous games between the sides featured the minimum number of goals, and it was a surprise to see a second soon after. Ryan GREEN received the ball from Brown before firing a shot across goal and past McConnachie. With Forres unbeaten at home since last October the signs were ominous for Lossie, but with just over ten minutes left Kevin FLETT headed home to pull one back.

Before Lossie had the chance to consider an equaliser and possibly a penalty shoot-out, Forres restored their two goal lead. Garry Tweedie, formerly of both Forres and Lossie, crossed low into the box and Chris GRANT tapped the ball over the line at the back post.

Lossie were not finished there, and minutes later were within a goal of Forres. Ross Duncan sprinted down the stand side touchline before crossing to the back post, where Liam ARCHIBALD was perfectly positioned to hammer home his first goal for the club.

Sadly for Lossie a third goal was not to be, but the Coasters have a chance for an early revenge later in the month when they head back to Forres for a league game.

Full time - Forres Mechanics 3 Lossiemouth 2

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie: Steven Sim, Kevin Flett, JJ Urquhart, Sam Milton, Dan Smith, Kevin Grant, Martin McMullan, Stuart Streathdee, Ross Duncan, Jamie Bagley
Forres Mechanics - Stuart Knight: Simon Allan, Kevin Shortreed, Graeme Grant, Kyle Scott, Ross MacPherson, Neil Whyte, Bruce Milne, Garry Tweedie, Charlie Brown, Ryan Green

Lossiemouth - Ross Archibald (Jamie Bagley, 62), Colin Charlesworth (Kevin Grant, 71), Liam Archibald (Steven Sim, 79)
Forres Mechanics - Matthew Fraser (Ryan Green, 68), Chris Grant (Charlie Brown, 71), Kevin Duguid (Garry Tweedie, 79)

Lossiemouth -Garry Macdonald, Gary McKnockiter
Forres Mechanics - Iain Penwright, Martin Taylor

Lossiemouth - Kevin Flett (79), Liam Archibald (83)
Forres Mechanics - Charlie Brown (56), Ryan Green (65), Chris Grant (80)

Lossiemouth - None
Forres Mechanics - None

Referee

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