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It was honours even at Harlaw Park as Locos were held to a draw by Lossiemouth. After the Railwaymen failed to capitalise on a dominant first half, the visitors took the lead through Brandon Hutcheson. James Leslie diverted Myles Gaffney’s effort in for the leveller but Locos were unable to find a winner.
Dean Donaldson made four changes from the team who beat Formartine United in midweek, including handing a first start to Aidan Wilson.
Logan Johnstone had the first effort of the afternoon, improvising a shot while on the ground but Cameron Farquhar gathered comfortably. Dylan Lawrence then tried his luck but could only find the side netting.
Locos began to take firm control, moving the ball about well as they looked for a way through a well organised Coasters defence. Sam Robertson created an opening but found Farquhar equal to his effort. Locos recycled the ball and Jay Halliday took aim from distance but his strike was too close to the keeper.
With Paul Coutts pulling the strings, Locos continued to ask questions of the visiting defence, who showed energetic resistance. Robertson couldn’t quite get his boot to a dangerous Wilson cross from the right and on the verge of half time Calum Dingwall’s flick with the back of he heel looped over the bar.
There was certainly frustration that Locos had been unable to make their pressure count in the first half but they kept plugging away after the interval only to be hit on the break shortly before the hour mark.
Hutcheson raced on to a long ball forward before firing low past Zack Ellis. It was the first goal Locos had conceded in almost 450 minutes of football but there was more than enough time for them to turn the game around.
It took less than ten minutes for the equaliser to come. Substitute Gaffney’s scuffed effort looked like it might be creeping in when James Leslie slid in to clear, succeeding only in firing into his own net.
Locos set about finding a winner but Lossie continued to frustrate. The best opportunity fell to Halliday who controlled the ball on his chest but could only fire his volley over the bar. As the clock ticked down, Ellis denied Hutcheson a second break away goal to ensure the points were shared.
Locos put together some good approach play throughout the game but will have few complaints about the outcome having failed to find the cutting edge required to take all three points.
We welcome Aberdeen to Harlaw Park on Wednesday evening in the semi final of the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup, before a fifth straight home fixture against Wick Academy next Saturday.
