Lossiemouth denied 'stonewall' penalty in 2-0 defeat at Wick Academy according to manager Joe Russell
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LOSSIEMOUTH went down 2-0 to Wick Academy on Monday afternoon, but the story could have different had the Coasters been awarded a spot kick.
A first-half own goal by Ross Archibald set the Scorries on their way to a fifth win in six games, although there was a nervy finale before Davie Allan's injury-time strike killed the game off.
Lossiemouth manager Joe Russell felt his team deserved to take a share of the points from Monday's clash at Harmsworth Park, although he acknowledged that justice had probably been done over the course of the two league games between the clubs this term.
“The game ebbed and flowed,” Russell said after Wick's 2-0 win. “Both sides had a wee bit of possession without really creating any clear-cut chances.”
The Lossie boss was convinced his team should have been awarded a penalty in the closing stages after a challenge by Wick's Conor Farquhar on substitute Harry Allen on the edge of the area. Referee Billy Baxter adjudged it to have been just outside and awarded a free kick.
“From where I was it was a stonewall penalty,” Russell said. “To be fair to the linesman, it was difficult to see inside the box but the referee should definitely be able to see it.
“We were disappointed with that. That's another decision that didn't go our way, but that's the way it goes.
“We were pushing for the equaliser and we let in the second goal, which was disappointing to say the least.”
Russell felt that better lines of communication could have prevented the opener, when Ross Archibald turned Sean Campbell's dipping right-wing cross into his own net.
“He wasn't under that much pressure, to be honest,” Russell said. “He wasn't quite sure how close the boy behind him was and he probably had more time than he thought.
“A wee bit of communication between the goalkeeper and himself would have been ideal in that scenario.”
Davie Allan's breakaway goal in stoppage time made the points safe for Wick.
When the sides met at Grant Park in August, a late strike by Liam Archibald secured a 2-1 victory for the Coasters.
Russell said: “As gutted as we are, I suppose it's one each because we nicked a late winner down at Lossie. They were two close games.
“It was quite an even contest today. Probably a draw would have been a fair result, but I suppose a draw would have been a fair result the last time as well.”
Academy came close on 38 minutes when Gary Manson picked out Mark Macadie, whose header brought an acrobatic save from Lossie keeper Logan Ross. Macadie latched onto the rebound but fired it wide.
The deadlock was broken three minutes later when Sean Campbell delivered a deep cross from the right and Ross Archibald turned it into his own net.
Academy continued to have most of the possession in the second half. Allan played a tempting ball through to Bremner and there were shouts of handball when the trialist's net-bound shot came off Archibald who was flat out on the goal-line.
Another substitute, Alan Mathieson, thought for a moment he had netted his first Academy goal after Allan and Steven Anderson linked up to create the opening, but the teenager was adjudged to have been in an offside position.
Campbell was putting in another all-action performance and he produced a vital intervention when Ross Morrison threatened to sneak in to finish off a Lossie counter-attack.
Academy had to be disciplined in defence and captain Danny Mackay was in commanding form to ensure the visitors were kept at bay.
There was a late scare for Wick when Farquhar was over-enthusiastic in a challenge on substitute Harry Allen deep on the Lossiemouth right, on the edge of the box. Referee Billy Baxter awarded a free kick, although Lossie felt they should have been given a penalty.
Deep in stoppage time, with the visitors piling forward, Academy broke up the park and Mathieson played Allan through for a clear run on goal. Allan had Bremner in support but didn't need him as he confidently dispatched the ball high past Ross to seal the Scorries' fifth win since November 20.
Wick Academy: Williamson, S Campbell, C Farquhar, Mackay, Hardwick, G Manson, MacNab (L Manson 84), D Allan, S Anderson, Munro (Mathieson 73), M Macadie (Bremner 73). Subs not used: R Macadie, R Allan, More.
Lossiemouth: Ross, Weir, Stewart, McAndrew, R Archibald, L Archibald, McCauley, Sewell (Leslie 70), Morrison, Farquhar (H Allen 80), B Allen.
Referee: Billy Baxter.
