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A late Paul Campbell goal secured a point for Locos and extended their unbeaten run to nine Breedon Highland League games. Campbell forced home from close range after Robbie Thompson had put the visitors ahead before the break.
Cole Donaldson was unable to take part, having gone off early at Turriff last week, with Nathan Meres taking his place. Lloyd Robertson was fit enough to return to the bench.
Both sides came into the game on excellent form but the opening stages were surprisingly lacklustre, particularly from Locos who barely got going in the firt half. The visitors did begin to impose themselves on the game, pressing high and attacking in numbers. Several shots were just off target but Thompson eventualy opened the scoring shortly before the break with a deflected effort from 15 yards.
Dean Donaldson would have demanded better from his players after the break, and that’s exactly what they delivered. The Railwaymen came out with more purpose and played on the front foot. Daniel Agnew had a great opportunity to score after a wonderful bit of skill by Meres, but Dawid Sienkowski was out quickly to beat his effort away. At the other end, Zack Ellis was at full stretch to tip a curling efort over the bar.
The game was being played out in the Thistle hall as Locos kept probing, getting plenty of balls into the box. One Agnew cross in particular flashed across the six yard box begging for a touch but nobody in fire and coal could reach it. When an Ethan Cairns efort fored across goal and wide of the far post it was beginning to look like it wasn’t going to be Locos day. The equaliser finally came from an Cairns corner on the right. Thistle didn’t clear and after a bit of a scramble, Campbell poked home.
Locos went pushing for a winner in the closing minutes but couldn’t break through for a victory that would have been very harsh on the visitors, who will feel frustrated that they couldn’t hang on for all three points.
This performance was certainly some way short of the levels Locos have reached in recent weeks and Dean Donaldson felt the first half was the worst his team have played all season. “It was a game of two halves” he said “we weren’t at it in the first half, and I’m not sure why. We can’t expect to go through a season without a poor performance though.” The manager was also keen to give credit to Strathspey. “They played the press well and really worked for each other. They’ve got a lot of good players.”
Locos have an immediate chance to return to winning ways when Clachnacuddin visit Harlaw Park on Wednesday for what is sure to be another tough test.
