Gray's way earns Forres Scottish Cup reprieve
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IGNORING the advice of his Forres Mechanics' team-mates helped keeper Stewart Gray earn the Moray club a Scottish Cup replay.
Gray pulled off a superb late penalty save to keep Mechanics in the competition as they drew 2-2 with Ayrshire juniors Irvine Meadow.
And the keeper, on only his second appearance for the club, revealed how he went against the wishes of the entire Forres team to make his wonder save.
“We were told before the game how their player took two penalties last week and scored them both to the keeper's right,” Gray revealed. “So the whole team was telling me to dive to my right.
“But I always watch the kicker before he takes it and look at his stance, and I decided to go the other way. I'm glad I did.”
Mechanics were big underdogs with cup sponsors and bookies William Hill in the tie, but twice came from behind to grab a second bit at the cherry next weekend.
A cracking Liam McGuinness goal put Meadow in front after just five minutes, and it took two fine saves by Gray to prevent his team from going further behind at the break.
Kyle Scott's looping header levelled for Forres on 69 minutes, only for sub Michael Hughes to quickly restore the Ayrshire side's advantage.
Garry Tweedie came off the bench to net a great shot on the turn and bring the Can Cans back on terms with six minutes left.
Seconds later Irvine's David McGeown went down in the box under a Gray challenge and a penalty was awarded, but Gray made amends with a defiant stop from Kevin McDonald's kick.
Gray's save and overall performance earned the praise of his manager Charlie Rowley.
“Stewart comes out of this game with a huge amount of credit,” Charlie said. “He had a great double save, kept out the penalty and played really well.
“Now we've got a second crack of the whip and the boys can go into the replay in a positive mind.”
Lossiemouth looked to be joining Forres on the road to Ayrshire next weekend until a heartbreaking 90 minute goal nicked victory for Auchinleck Talbot at Grant Park.
Scottish Junior Cup holders Talbot were big favourites to win at Lossie but were stunned when Nikki Smith controlled a Colin Charlesworth cross and slotted Lossie into a 20 minute lead.
Talbot levelled on 54 minutes through Michael McCann, and floored their Moray hosts with a last-gasp David Gillies winner.
“The players worked their socks off against a very good junior team and we deserved to come away with a draw,” said dejected Lossie manager Charlie Charlesworth.
Keith, without star striker Cammy Keith, overcame a tricky trip to the Borders with a 2-0 victory over St Cuthbert Wanderers.
Dean Donaldson missed an early penalty but made amends in 17 minutes with an 18-yard drive into the roof of the net.
Both sides hit the woodwork but it was Keith, coming off the back of two disappointing defeats, who booked a place in the second round of the Scottish Cup thanks to Stuart Walker in 78 minutes.
It was Walker's first full match since April and his goal capped an impressive return to a struggling defence after a long injury layoff.
In the only all-Highland League tie, Rothes crashed out 3-0 at home to Clach, but there was joy for Huntly after they thumped Newton Stewart 6-1 at Christie Park.
The Tigers had one paw in the second round by half time as Paul McCarthy, Michael Fyfe, Adam Naismith and Russell Guild all netted to put them four goals ahead. Second half efforts by Alex Thoirs and David Booth embellished an already convincing Huntly success.
The Highland League teams enjoyed a number of successes, not least with Wick Academy's 9-1 crushing of far-travelled visitors Coldstream.
Inverurie won 6-1 at Dalbeattie Star while Cove crushed Glasgow University 4-0, Fraserburgh edged out Civil Service Strollers 4-3 and Nairn beat Selkirk 2-1.
For Scottish Cup and Highland League reports and reaction, see Friday's Northern Scot.
