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Locos were beaten by Highland League champions Brechin City thanks to two Grady McGrath goals early in the second half. Mark Souter had put Locos ahead but they were unable to find an equaliser at Glebe Park.
Both goalkeepers were tested in the opening minutes, Zack Ellis beating away shots from Spencer Moreland and Liam Duell before Lloyd Robertson forced Lenny Wilson into action. The game remained open before Souter got on the end of Calum Dingwall’s free kick from the right to finish inside Wilson’s right hand post with nineteen minutes on the clock.
The hosts tried to get back into the game but couldn’t test Ellis further before the break. McGrath was introduced at half time and turned the game on it’s head within 7 minutes of the restart. His first came from the penalty spot after Lloyd Robertson and Ewan Spark tangled at a corner. It looked to six of one and half a dozen of the other but the referee concluded the Railwayman was at fault. McGrath then added what proved to be the winner, heading home from 7 yards after the ball was played back into the area by Ewan Murray.
For a while the Hedgemen looked hungry for more, with McGrath inches away from a hat-trick and twice being denied by Ellis, with Fraser MacLeod also going close. Locos showed great spirit to get themselves back into the game though, throwing everything at City in the latter stages, with Logan Johnstone’s long throws into the box causing problems for the home defence. That defence remained resolute though, and Tam Reid’s drive was a close as Locos came to levelling, Wilson turning his shot past the post.
This was always going to be a tough game but Locos made Brechin work for their victory and should take some confidence from this performance going into the important meeting with Strathspey Thistle at Harlaw Park on Saturday.
