Forres Mechanics 1 Formartine United 1: Impressive point for Cans as stand-in keeper shows up well

AN IMPRESSIVE Forres Mechanics stopped high-flying Formartine United's winning run with a 1-1 draw at Mosset Park.

United went into the game undefeated in nine Highland League matches, having won eight in a row, while Forres were winless in nine league games.

However, the contrasting form of the two sides was not evident when Dale Wood fired Forres into a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Julian Wade grabbed a leveller for the visitors after the break, leaving a tinge of disappointment for otherwise pleased Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald.

"The boys really dug in and were worthy of their half-time lead," he said.

"We lost an early goal at the start of the second half and they turned the screw for 15 minutes, but at the end of the game it was us that was looking more likely to score again.

"I'm disappointed for all the effort the boys put in that they couldn't get the win, but I couldn't have asked for any more from them."

Preparations were more frantic than usual at Mosset Park, with teenage goalkeeper Corey Patterson being brought in from Inverness Caley Thistle on a last-minute loan on the morning of the match.

The youngster impressed between the posts, making several key saves. MacDonald added: "He did great after coming in at the last minute.

"We've got to thank Caley Thistle for helping us. We had nothing else and had tried loads of people yesterday and on Wednesday and Thursday.

"It's been the story of our season with injuries, but it was fantastic to see the young boy doing so well."

Forres had the better of the first 15 minutes, with visiting defender Rhys Thomas perhaps fortunate not to be penalised for a handball after 10 minutes.

Thomas was let off the hook again two minutes later when his mistake allowed Ben Barron in – but he could only head onto the bar from close range.

Stand-in keeper Patterson had a nervous moment in an otherwise confident and assured performance on 20 minutes when his clearance was charged down by Julian Wade, but Mechanics got men back to block out the chance.

The visitors missed a huge chance to go ahead just minutes later when Graeme Rodger turned over the crossbar from close range after a quick counter-attack.

They were duly punished when Dale Wood's superb curling effort from the corner of the box found the top corner on 44 minutes to give the Can-Cans a 1-0 half-time lead.

That lead was wiped out within two minutes of the restart when Julian Wade headed home from close range after a corner.

Formartine put the pressure on as Patterson got down well to deny Mark Gallagher on 64 minutes.

But Forres had plenty of late chances. Substitute Martin Groat and Callum Johnston both fired a yard wide, before the latter had a golden opportunity when the ball broke to him eight yards out, but his shot was blocked and cleared.

Defender Connall Ewan, who was playing on his 18th birthday, added: "The point overall was good.

"It was a tough battle but if we had got the three points it wouldn't have been undeserved. We had some good spells and chances to win the game."