North of Scotland Cup: Forres Mechanics are champions after sensational 3-2 win from behind against Clachnacuddin

Forres Mechanics completed a sensational come-from-behind win to defeat Clachnacuddin in the North Cup final and secure their first cup since 2010.

Clach went into the match as favourites and led 2-0 after 45 minutes - but Forres stunned the Inverness side to secure the most dramatic of extra-time victories.

Troy Cooper and James Anderson had Clach two to the good inside 41 minutes but goals from Kyle MacLeod before half-time, Ryan McRitchie in the second half and a Calum Frame penalty secured Forres’ first silverware since the 2012 Highland League title.

Clachnacuddin took the lead on 34 minutes when Troy Cooper was allowed to advance through the centre of the pitch and took Forres keeper Sean McCarthy by surprise with a toe-poked effort from 22 yards.

The Inverness side turned up the pressure and doubled their advantage on 41 minutes after a moment to forget for Forres right-back Charlie Macdonald.

The 29-year-old gave the ball away and then overcommitted himself as Cooper breezed by him to tee up James Anderson for a tap-in at the back post.

An injury to defender Sam Nixon in the aftermath of the goal compounded what was a difficult spell for Forres - but the half was to end on a high.

Matt Jamieson’s low cross from the right-hand side was swept into the bottom corner expertly by Kyle MacLeod three minutes in added time to put the game firmly back in the balance.

The Can-Cans made substitutions number two and three at the break as Lewis MacKenzie and Kaiden Connolly came on - but it was Clach who almost went 3-1 up when ex-Forres winger Allan MacPhee curled just wide on 50 minutes.

Forres went on to completely dominate the next phase of the game, however. First, Calum Frame’s back-post header was tipped away by Mark Ridgers on the hour mark.

The former Caley Thistle keeper was in the centre of things again on 67 minutes when he spilled a simple shot into the path of Frame - but the experienced stopper reacted well to deny the striker.

But Ridgers wasn’t given a reprieve two minutes later when he dropped an equally-as-simple Matt Jamieson cross into the path of centre-half Ryan McRitchie, who knocked home from three yards for 2-2.

Clach went back on the attack instantly - McCarthy pulling off a fantastic save to deny Anderson his second of the afternoon.

Forres had the final chance to win the game before extra-time. Mark McLauchlan’s ball in behind on 92 minutes was laid off by Frame for Aiden Cruickshank, but he sent a curling effort over the bar.

Cruickshank created the first chance of extra-time - his outside-of-the-foot pass found Lewis Mackenzie but his shot was blocked behind for a corner.

Three minutes into the second period of extra-time and Forres were awarded a penalty kick for a handball on the goal-line from Clach captain Harry Nicolson, who was sent off.

Calum Frame composed himself, stepped up and rifled a shot right into the top left-hand corner to complete a sensational Forres comback.

The game was almost level again seconds after the restart when a McRitchie miskick allowed Anderson in on goal - but his weak effort was saved easily by McCarthy.

There was a sad moment as goalkeeper McCarthy - outstanding throughout - went off injured - but Forres were to hold on without him to secure the most sensational of cup successes.