Forres Mechanics 1 Clachnacuddin 1: Disappointment at dropped point for Can-Cans

FORRES Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald was left disappointed after a 1-1 draw with Clachnacuddin at Mosset Park on Wednesday night.

The Can-Cans boss was targetting three points from the game – and looking to end a winless league run dating back to August's 2-1 success against Keith – but was left with a feeling of two points dropped.

Clach took the lead on 21 minutes through Lewis Mackenzie's near-post strike and the Cans leveller came through Lee Fraser's header from six yards in the 65th minute.

MacDonald said: "I'm very disappointed not to win the game. It's a game we should have won.

"I didn't think we did enough first half, tempo-wise and setting the tone for the game. We were on top but didn't have enough quality and didn't go for them like I wanted.

"Then from nothing we lose a goal and it makes it really hard. They had one chance and we go in 1-0 down at half-time.

"Second half we were good and credit to the boys because they did show character. Clach were always going to dig in and they are fighting hard for their interim manager.

"I was a lot happier with the way we played in the second half, but we should have done that from the start. If we had done that from the start we would have won the game, but it's ifs and buts."

The first couple of efforts on goal went the way of Forres – first when Mark Mclauchlan's dipping effort from 25 yards landed on the roof of the net and then when Jack Grant's free-kick came back off the crossbar.

But it was Clach that took the lead on 21 minutes when Lewis Mackenzie slammed in at the near post from 10 yards.

Forres dominated play in the second period but couldn't create enough chances to turn the game around.

Lee Fraser had a chance to equalise on the hour mark but his shot from 12 yards was saved by substitute goalkeeper Daniel Rae.

Fraser did get on the scoresheet five minutes later, though, when he nodded Jack Grant's pinpoint cross in from six yards.

The turnaround should have been completed by Craig Mackenzie on the 70-minute mark. He controlled a good ball forward from Calum Howarth but was denied at close range by Rae.

Neither team created many significant chances late on, until the 94th minute – when Clach almost won it.

Samba Badjana was caught in possession on the edge of his own box and the ball was fed to Mackenzie, but Lee Herbert denied him well to ensure Forres took at least one point.

Mechanics have a weekend off before taking on high-flying Huntly on October 21.