Lossiemouth 0 Forres Mechanics 0: Stalemate in Moray derby
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A GOALLESS Moray derby between Lossiemouth and Forres Mechanics at Grant Park on Saturday ended losing streaks for both sides.
Lossie went into the match off the back of six successive defeats, with Forres having lost four in a row since the arrival of manager Gordon Connelly.
Neither side were satisfied with the point – but Lossie manager Joe Russell was pleased with his side's performance.
He said: "We didn't quite get have the quality or get that wee bit of luck in the final third, which I think we deserved.
"We played really well. I thought we defended well but didn't have the cutting edge to get the goal.
"It's a clean sheet and another point on the board, which is not a bad day at the office, but I'm disappointed it's not three points."
The first big chance of the game went to Forres forward Paul Brindle, but he volleyed wide after a mix up between Lossie defender Lewis McAndrew and goalkeeper Logan Ross.
There was a blow for Forres as keeper Stuart Knight hobbled off with a calf injury after half an hour, being replaced by under 18s keeper Logan Morrison.
Morrison was almost called into action instantly – but a last-ditch tackle from Joe Gauld denied Ryan Farquhar a golden chance.
The young keeper was forced into a good save before half-time, denying Farquhar well after he was played in by Ryan Sewell.
Forres had the final, and best, chance of the first half but Jack Grant's cross was volleyed out of the ground by Lee Fraser from close range.
With 20 minutes remaining, Fraser went close again – this time a well-directed header was kept out by Logan Ross in the Lossie goal.
Morrison was called into action again on 75 minutes, tipping away a goal-bound header before gathering Ryan Sewell's low drive.
The final chance again fell the way of Cans' striker Lee Fraser. Substitute Scott Miller went on a good run and fed the striker, but, after steadying himself, he side-footed over the bar from 10 yards.
The visitors ended with ten men after Cans central defender Graham Fraser was shown a second yellow for a trip on Farquhar.
Mechanics captain Martin Groat said: "It's not what we wanted. When Forres go to Lossie you're expecting three points so the boys are a bit down.
"But there are positives to be taken. We got a clean sheet and were solid at the back. Young Logan came in and did really well.
"You'd back Lee one-on-one with a goalkeeper to put it in but it didn't happen for him."
Forres host Nairn County on Saturday, with Lossiemouth welcoming Turriff United to Grant Park.
