Forres Mechanics boss Steven Macdonald praises his "brave" team after giving Buckie Thistle a fright
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A REAL game of the proverbial two halves saw half-time Forres Mechanics' hope extinguished by a clinical Buckie Thistle resurgence after the break.
Mechanics boss Steven Macdonald praised his side for their first half performance which saw them lead 1-0 at the interval after an early strike by on-loan Elgin City winger Dylan Lawrence.
Forres looked assured and could have added a second goal when Lawrence went close with another effort.
At the other end, they got some luck when Max Barry hit the crossbar with a great effort and Lee Herbert, returning to the club he left in the summer, was a safe pair of hands.
However, it all changed in the second half as unrelenting Buckie pressure finally took its toll and Josh Peters (2) and Max Barry turned the game on its head.
Macdonald said: "I thought we started really well and could have had a second after the goal. I thought the boys were great and gave it everything they could.
"Unfortunately we just couldn't hold out in the second half. They (Buckie) were relentless and we weren't keeping the ball well and weren't getting out of our half.
"We nevered offered anything offensively at all (in the second half), so it was a case of holding out. When we lost the goal it was disappointing to lose it from a straight ball through the middle because we had defended so well.
"If we had got through that sticky patch it would have been game on and they would have started panicking, but the goal came at the right time for them as it gave them momentum to kickon.
"As much as I was disappointed with it (first goal) Josh took it really well and that's the quality he has.
"I couldn't have asked for any more from the boys. At 1-0 at half-time we were wondering could we take it to the next stage.
"We just needed everything to go for us but their quality took them through in the end. I am sure we gave them a bit of a fright.
"We were brave and gave it a go, but just didn't do quite enough. We couldn't have any arguments. They are an excellent side and have that winning mentality to keep going right to the end."
