On-form Forres end champs' unbeaten run
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FORRES Mechanics boss Charlie Rowley was thrilled to see his team become the first to inflict a league defeat on champions Cove Rangers this season.
After 31 unbeaten league games, including 28 victories, the Aberdonians lost 1-0 to Forres at Inverurie on Wednesday night.
Stuart Soane's strike on 32 minutes spoiled the party for the home side, who received the Highland League trophy on the same night.
It was Cove's first Highland League defeat in 16 months, and Rowley paid tribute to his team's efforts on the night.
"Cove have build up a vast amount of momentum and confidence on this run," he said. "To become the first team to beat them in the league since December 2016 is a statement in itself.
"I have to give a huge amount of credit to my playing squad, not just for this result but for the run we've been on."
Mechanics have now won 18 and drawn one of their last 21 league games, the kind of form which puts even Cove's sequence of results over the same period of time in the shade.
Forres remain in fourth spot, but received a setback in their bid to qualify for next year's Irn Bru Challenge Cup with results elsewhere.
Fraserburgh, who are three points behind Cans with a game in hand and a better goal difference, won 3-1 at Brora Rangers and will be favourites to win their two remaining matches and steal a top four slot.
Broch visit Rothes on Saturday and finish with a match at second bottom Strathspey, while Forres host Lossiemouth in their final game this weekend.
Rothes drew level with Wick Academy in the league table by defeating the Caithness side 1-0 at MacKessack Park, Craig Cormack scoring.
The Speysiders are now 11th and behind Wick on goal difference, with two games against Fraserburgh and Brora left to play.
Keith took the lead at home to third-placed Formartine United with a Michael Selfridge strike, but were then overpowered as the visitors scored five tiomes for a 5-1 win.
The Maroons also had Michael Ralton sent off.
Good news for Keith, and Moray neighbours Lossiemouth is that they should avoid finishing in the bottom two after the basement battle between Fort William and Strathspey finished in a 1-1 draw.
Nairn beat Turriff 3-0 in the night's other game.
