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Ethan Cairns second half strike cancelled out Lloyd Robertson’s early opener as Locos and Forres Mechanics had to settle for a point apiece at Mosset Park. Young Blair Smith started the game after his match winning debut performance last week and, with Mark Souter suspended, Calum Dingwall dropped back into defence. There was also a debut for Taylor Mason off the bench in the second half.
One of only three Highland League fixtures to survive the weather, this looked like it might be an afternoon to remember when Robertson showed quick feet to make space for a shot before steering the ball beyond Stuart Knight with just 8 minutes on the clock.
The game was played at a decent pace but chances were few and far between. Knight did well oi tip a deflected Robert Ward effort and saved from the same player just before the break. Logan Johnstone also went close with a header.
At the other end, Greg Mitchell was alert to clear from the line with Andy Reid beaten and Ryan McLeman fired narrowly wide.
Forres Mechanics came out full of intent after the break and immediately put Locos under pressure. Cairns drove wide in the opening stages of the second half but moments later he evaded Dingwall’s attention to net the leveller.
Locos responded well, pushing hard to get back in front. Knight’s miss-kick almost let Garry Wood in on goal but the keeper recovered to take the ball from ther strikers feet at the edge of his area. Robertson then forced a good low save from the Can Cans keeper before heading onto the roof of the net as Locos caused havoc in the home penalty area.
With 20 minutes remaining, Wood’s neat pass found Robertson but he put his shot wide of the left hand post. Reid them saved a Ben Barron header before finding himself in no man’s land after coming out of his box. The hosts tried to work an opening but the Locos defence held firm.
Locos had one last chance to take all three points as Ward released Wood but Knight was off his line quickly to save.
The unbeaten run continues but Locos will feel this is was an opportunity missed haven got themselves in front early on. It’s another away day next week as Locos visit Formartine United.
Forres Mechanics: Knight, Brady, L Fraser, Ewan, Wood, Grant, MacKenzie, MacLeman, Barron (Henderson), Cairns, Davies (Morrison) Unused Subs: Davidson, McKay, Gauld, Donaldson
Locos: A Reid, T Reid, Mitchell, Dingwall, Johnstone, Ward, Wood, Michie (Mason), Smith (Gill), Meres (Alberts), Robertson Unused Subs: Thain, Petermann, Farquhar
