Rangers run close by Forres heroes
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
FORRES Mechanics came close to pulling off one of the biggest shocks in Scottish football.
The Highland League champions produced a fantastic performance against the Glasgow giants at Mosset Park.
Ally McCoist's side scraped through to the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup thanks to a solitary first half goal from Kai Naismith.
However, it was Charlie Rowley's side who took all the plaudits as they pushed Rangers all the way.
No-one could have begrudged them a replay and a money-spinning trip to Ibrox.
And but for a fantastic save from Neil Alexander to deny Kyle Scott in the second half, Forres would have secured the draw their performance deserved.
Rangers boss McCoist paid tribute to Forres after the game.
"Forres deserve all the credit from the game. The only positive we can take out of the game is we are in the next round," he said.
"Forres kept going right to the end of the game and did their manager and the town proud."
Forres boss Charlie Rowley praised his side, who had to play the final half hour of the game with just ten men after Nathan Sharp was sent off for a second bookable offence.
"They were a credit to themselves and the club. They gave everything. Any neutral wouldn't have been able to pick between the two teams and we more than matched Rangers."
Kyle Scott, reflecting on his gold chance midway through the second half, said: "I thought it was in and was about to start my celebration. I don't know how Neil Alexander saved it."
Lifelong Rangers fan Graeme Grant said: "What a chance we had to take them back to Ibrox. They were there for the taking."
And Forres chairman James Anderson admitted it had been a proud day all round for everybody connected with the club.
"I am disappointed we didn't get the draw but totally proud of everybody associated with the club," he said.
A capacity crowd of 2,751 had enjoyed a carnival atmosphere, with several hundred fans watching the game from outside the ground, scrambling on to every available vantage point.
And despite a number of smoke bombs being let off during the game, the match passed off relatively incident free.
Forres: Knight, G. Fraser, Allan, Grant, Sharp, MacPherson, McMullan, Duguid (McIntosh), Lawrie, Scott, Moore (Davidson. Not used: Stuart, Bremner, Fraser.
Rangers: Alexander, Areyriou (Kyle), Cribari, Perry, Wallace, McCulloch, Faure, Hutton, Naismith, McLeod, Aird (Crawford). Not used: Gallacher, Hegarty, McKay.
