Forres Mechanics 0 Formartine United 1: "Pluses" as Cans lose tight affair

FORRES Mechanics manager Gordon Connelly has said there are "so many pluses" after his side's 1-0 defeat against Formartine United.

After back-to-back 7-0 home losses in his first two games in charge, followed by a 2-0 defeat at Wick Academy, Connelly was encouraged by the performance in the defeat to Formartine at Mosset Park.

A sixth minute goal from Stuart Smith was enough to give the visitors the three points, but the Cans competed well throughout.

Connelly said: "So many pluses have come out of the game.

"You can see their fitness levels have improved since we came in and that was a big issue.

"And I actually think the players enjoyed it. They gave us energy, we've just not got the luck in front of goals but I can't fault the effort."

Midfielder Jack Maley, formerly of Rothes, was a new face in the starting line-up for Mechanics, who were behind early on.

A Kevin Hanratty cross was headed in at the near post by Formartine defender Stuart Smith to give the visitors the advantage.

Forres' first chance came after 18 minutes, with new man Maley finding Callum Johnston whose shot was almost let slip by Ewan Macdonald.

Moments later Jack Grant knocked just wide at the near post after a Dale Wood cross.

Graeme Rodger had a couple of chances for the visitors before the break, with their best chance coming courtesy of Kevin Hanratty, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Graham Fraser.

Into the second half and the Cans scrapped away, with Lee Fraser's shot at the end of a good counter attack being blocked on the hour mark.

Goalkeeper Lee Herbert had to be sharp to deny Rodger on 70 minutes, while substitute Jonny Smith headed just wide for Formartine on 84 minutes.

Smith had the ball in the net from a free-kick three minutes later but was adjudged to have been in an offside position.

The final chance fell the way of Daniel Park, who cut inside from 25 yards and fired a well-hit effort into the sidenetting.

Mechanics have now lost four in a row under their new management team, without scoring.

A trip to Strathspey Thistle on Saturday, before a home tie with Fort William after Christmas, gives the Cans the chance to change that.

Connelly added: "There are no easy games. The pyramid system has switched all teams on to the fear of losing and going down because there might not be a route back.

"We don't have the right to beat anybody. Strathspey were unlucky at Wick so they'll be a tough game.

"But it's one we go into with a bit of confidence so we'll hope to build on that."