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A moment of real quality from Rory McAllister consigned Locos to a second defeat of the season, despite an improved performance from Saturday.
Dean Donaldson made five changes to the side that started the season, including the return of Zack Ellis in goal, a debut for Taylor Chapman and a first start for youngster Rory Butchart.
It was the hosts who made the brighter start but they were struggling to test Ellis, who was needed to make a routine save from Scott Adams. Ethan Cairns then tested Stuart McKenzie at the other end.
Locos were finding their feet and Cairns had a wonderful opportunity to open his account for the club. He raced onto an excellent pass from Josh Bolton and rounded the advancing McKenzie. He looked odds on to score but as he beat a scrambling defender, he couldn’t quite manoeuvre the ball into a shooting position.
It was a missed chance that Locos would rue as McAllister curled a left footed effort beyond Ellis from the edge of the penalty area just a few minutes later. Locos looked a little deflated by the goal and finished the half on the back foot.
The Railwaymen saw more of the ball in the second half as they pushed for an equaliser but were unable to get past a resolute home defence. McKenzie was called upon again to deny Callum Duncan from 20 yards but that was as close as Locos came to levelling the scores.
Formartine thought they had added a second in the closing stages as Julian Wade finished from close range, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Dean Donaldson was looking for a reaction from his players, and he certainly got that as the performance began to resemble what was so effective last season. There was familiar frustration too though, as a lack of composure at times stopped us taking anything from the game.
A marked improvement but more needed if we are to pick up a first win of the season against Huntly at Harlaw Park on Saturday.
