FORRES Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley is hoping to end 2019 on a high at Strathspey Thistle after a disappointing 4-0 loss to Inverurie Loco Works on Saturday.

Mechanics travel to Grantown as big favourites having beaten the Jags twice already this season – 7-1 at Mosset Park in the league and 4-1 at Seafield Park in the cup.

Rowley said: “We are more than capable of beating them, there’s no question about that.

“We go there with confidence knowing we can beat them – but they are a stuffy side.

“We have to write off the Inverurie match, have a good Christmas and come back and try to get three points against Strathspey.”

Locos looked the likelier side right from the off at Mosset Park on Saturday, with Forres goalkeeper Stuart Knight called into action within seconds of kick-off to deny Neil Gauld from close range.

Gallery1

The visitors were ahead on seven minutes through Chris Angus. Stuart Knight parried Jonny Smith’s shot from close-in for Angus to knock into an empty net.

And it was 2-0 shortly after as Andrew Hunter headed on for Jonny Smith to cushion a volley into the bottom right-hand corner.

The task was already an uphill one for Forres, but the game was killed off before the break as referee Harry Bruce awarded a penalty for a foul by Graham Fraser on Greg Mitchell.

A soft award and the penalty was well converted into the bottom left by Neil Gauld.

The second half started in much the same fashion as the first as Locos pulled further ahead on 50 minutes. Chris Angus’ strike was a cracker, curling in off the bottom of the right-hand post from just inside the box.

Cans’ striker Lee Fraser crashed a header against the bar five minutes later, but that was as close as Forres came to a consolation on the day.

Ross MacPherson also fired over from close range, but Locos had four or five chances to add to their collection of goals.

Stuart Knight denied Chris Angus on the hour mark, with Gauld and Mitchell both firing over after flowing moves.

Graham Fraser misjudged a header back to his keeper on 83 minutes, with the defender lucky Angus clipped just wide.

Knight, who had a good game, denied Smith and substitute Jordan Cooper late on.

Rowley admitted his side were deservedly beaten.

“That’s as good a performance I’ve seen from Locos in a long time and as good an opposition that has been here in a long time," he said.

“Our own personal performance was way below what we are capable of, which is a bigger disappointment than the result.

“But their front four are real quality and gave us a really hard time.

“It’s a disappointing day at the office but we just have to write it off. They are pushing for things we are not capable of just now.”