Lossiemouth maintained their unbeaten run in the Scot-Ads Highland League with a draw against Forres Mechanics, but the Coasters will feel they did enough to earn a fourth win of the season. Stuart Strathdee equalised in the second half as Lossie tore a lacklustre Forres apart, but the visitors could not find a winner and had to settle for a point.

Lossie were without Kevin Stuart for the day, and Nikki Smith and Dan Smith were also missing from the match day squad. Forres started with Fraser Bremner in the line-up and Ryan Green on the bench, but former Lossie man Simon Allan was absent.

The visitors were first to threaten, Shawn Scott heading over a perfect cross from Tony Ross. Lossie started well and were coping better with the soggy conditions than Forres, who took their time to get into gear. Charlie Brown, back from a successful spell at Buckie Thistle, was in shooting mood but his first attempt resulted in a fresh air shot, and his second strike went high over the bar. Darren McConnachie kept the scores level when he produced a fine one handed save under the corner of post and bar to keep out a Kyle Scott effort.

The opening goal arrived midway through the half and was as simmple as it was effective. Scott Moore fired a corner into the box and a poorly marked Kevin SHORTREED headed home from a dozen yards.

Lossie responded well and chased an equaliser. Stuart Strathdee saw a shot deflected wide for a corner, and Shawn Scott went even closer, looping a header just over the bar and beyond the reach of Knight.

Half time - Forres Mechanics 1 Lossiemouth 0

Forres were far from their usual dominant selves in their own back yard, with Nathan Sharp visibly struggling after taking a knock in the first half and carrying on after treatment. Lossie took advantage to draw level before the hour was up. The visitors were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, and with all eyes on JJ Urquhart, Stuart STRATHDEE stepped up to hammer the ball past a poorly assembled wall and a stationary Knight.

Lossie could smell blood and as Forres continued to labour, Lossie searched relentlessly for a second goal. Shawn Scott took advantage of a clumsy touch by MacPherson to play in Martin McMullan but he could only shoot over after bearing down on goal.

Biscuits was again involved in setting up a teammate, this time playing in second half substitute David Wilson but Nathan Sharp made a last gasp sliding challenge to clear. Wilson was foiled again minutes later as he made to shoot, this time by another sliding challenge from MacPherson.

After contributing little to the second half, Forres perked up for the last couple of minutes and could have stolen the points with a late winner. A long ball over the top landed in front of Neil Whyte as he raced towards goal but he sliced his shot into the side netting. Garry Tweedie came even closer, getting a shot on target which failed to beat McConnachie.

The sides were left to settle for a point each, with Lossie left to rue missed chances to secure a win for the second week in a row, but the Coasters remain unbeaten in the league ahead of a trip to Wick.

Full time - Forres Mechanics 1 Lossiemouth 1

Teams

Lossiemouth - Darren McConnachie: Steven Sim, Kevin Flett, JJ Urquhart, Sam Milton, Garry Macdonald, Tony Ross, Martin McMullan, Shawn Scott, Stuart Strathdee, Ross Duncan
Forres Mechanics - Stuart Knight: Bruce Milne, Kevin Shortreed, Graeme Grant, Nathan Sharp, Ross MacPherson, Neil Whyte, Charlie Brown, Kyle Scott, Fraser Bremner, Scott Moore

Lossiemouth - David Wilson (Stuart Strathdee, 77), Colin Charlesworth (Garry Macdonald, 82), Liam Archibald (Tony Ross, 90)
Forres Mechanics - Ryan Green (Charlie Brown, 60), Garry Tweedie (Scott Moore, 74)

Lossiemouth - Jamie Bagley, Steven Sim
Forres Mechanics - Craig Ireland, George Russell, Jason Calvert, Gordon MacDonald

Lossiemouth - Stuart Strathdee (53)
Forres Mechanics - Kevin Shortreed (26)

Lossiemouth - None
Forres Mechanics - None

Referee

Disagree?