Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald said Inverurie Locos’ penalty winner in Highland League clash at Mosset Park was right decision

Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald felt Inverurie Locos’ disputed penalty winner at Mosset Park on Saturday was the correct call.

Many inside the ground and on the pitch protested the decision which allowed Aidan Wilson to score the only goal in Locos’ 1-0 victory.

The Cans’ boss was honest enough to suggest that Jack Grant’s sliding challenge on Lloyd Robertson was a foul and a spot kick should have been given.

A tight match with few clearcut chances looked like it would need a setpiece or moment of brilliance to break the deadlock, and MacDonald was frustrated that his men couldn’t build on the previous Saturday’s sparkling 5-1 win at Nairn County.

“It all got a bit desperate,” he said. “They went through on goal and it was one of the few times they actually opened us up.

“Corey (goalkeeper Patterson) saved it, but it sort of broke to us again. We had the chance to clear it from there, and we didn't - that was our chance.

“It should have been out for a corner from there, but it went back into play, and everyone was trying desperately to close it down from there. I think Jack just followed through and it looked like maybe the trailing leg actually caught him with the other one.

“I thought it was a penalty myself.”

Mechanics had the better of the final half hour chasing an equaliser which wouldn’t come despite some skirmishes in the Locos’ box.

“There weren’t clear-cut chances but it felt like we were still a threat and we could have got a goal.

“There were more of the balls coming in the box but a few that were just missing that last connection.

“I didn't think we were aggressive enough in the first half. It was similar to what we discussed in the week before (at Nairn) at half-time and how we kicked up a gear.

“I was hoping that would have been the way again, but we were a bit passive. We let them into it a little bit more, and they got the goal from that.

“Then after that, they probably used their experience to hold on to that. We had to try and break it down and it's harder like that.

“We certainly didn't surrender, that's for sure. We gave it a good go but it was disappointing not to get anything.”

MacDonald is pleased to see one of his major signings of the season, ex-Elgin City youngster Matty Jamieson back in his squad after a long spell out injured.

“He’s been in full training but it was just a bit too early for him to start. It's a difficult time of year to get back to fitness.

“He was telling me on Saturday it's nearly three months out. It's a long time. The most important thing is that he gets strength and he's been working hard on that.

“There’s 13 games to go. It's very hard to get back to full fitness in that time after three months out. The most important thing is that he's still a young lad, so it's getting to the future and making sure that he's alright.”

Calum Howarth was a late call-off with a calf injury but should return for Saturday’s trip to Fraserburgh. Fellow stopper Ryan McRitchie picked up a red card late on against Inverurie and will be suspended for the Buchan trip.

“They've obviously had a bit of form and they're buoyed by the Rangers experience in the Scottish Cup, and then going up to Brora and getting a great result on Saturday.

“It’s always a difficult place to go to but we will get ourselves fully prepared for a tough game.”