Forres Mechanics 2 Fort William 1: Cans see off bottom club Fort

FORRES Mechanics edged to a 2-1 victory over ten-man Fort William at Mosset Park last night.

The game was officially Fort's home game, but was switched from Claggan Park due to their pitch being unplayable. With season tickets not usable and the stadium tannoy out of action, there was an eerie feel to the match.

But the 100 or so fans inside Mosset Park saw Forres beat their bottom-of-the-table opposition thanks to first half goals from Lee Fraser and Allan MacPhee.

Forres manager Charlie Rowley said: "I'm pleased with the three points but that's about it really.

"We had to work really hard. I was impressed with Fort William's work rate and they have got the quality from full-time training.

"It was strange circumstances, being the away team and with quite a lacklustre vibe to the game. It was a wee bit of a strange night."

Fort started the match with eight Inverness Caley Thistle loanees and two trialists on the park, and threatened Forres on several occasions.

The first chance fell the way of Forres, however, as Declan Hughes raced through to be denied by Fort goalkeeper Daniel Hoban.

Fort had a flurry of chances, starting with Gabriel Hastings' close-range header – which clattered back off the post. Lewis Hyde had a trio of opportunities, with the best one tipped over the bar by Forres 'keeper Stuart Knight.

Fort's chances were scuppered when Donald Morrison was given a straight red card on the half mark for slapping James Ross round the head.

And Mechanics made things safe before half-time. Joe Gauld fired a great effort off the underside of the crossbar, with Lee Fraser picking up the seconds for 1-0 on 35 minutes.

It was 2-0 before half-time as Allan MacPhee fired a left-footed curler into the top left-hand corner from 20 yards.

Forres had plenty chances to kill the game in the second half, with Lee Fraser denied by Daniel Hoban before he headed Simon Allan's free-kick over the top.

But Fort stuck at it and grabbed a consolation with two minutes left on the clock. Stuart Knight parried a shot in the direction of substitute Ryan Henderson and his miss-hit shot was adjudged to have crossed the line by referee Billy Baxter.

Mechanics have this weekend off before a return to action against Formartine United at Mosset Park on Wednesday. Stuart Soane will return after suspension, with just Ryan Farquhar and Callum Johnston out.

FORRES TEAM: Knight, Ross, MacPherson, R.Fraser, Allan, Groat, Gauld, Hughes, Paterson, MacPhee, L.Fraser.