FORRES Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald has backed his strikers to get back on the goal-trail after a "highly frustrating" 1-0 defeat to Rothes at Mosset Park.

The Can-Cans had several chances to take the lead against their Moray rivals but failed to convert any before Aidan Wilson scored the winner for the visitors in the 79th minute.

The defeat extends Forres' winless run in the Highland League to 10 matches, with seven defeats, three 1-1 draws and nine goals scored in that period.

MacDonald was again left ruing his side's misfortune on Saturday evening – but backed his strikers to get back to scoring ways.

"It's incredible the way it's going for us," he said. "I thought the boys did really well, I was really pleased with them. The performance was really good but we got nothing from it again. It's painful.

"We are not scoring enough goals. It's obvious to see. Shaun and Ethan have scored goals before and we know they can score goals. They are good players. But it's not just them, it's the whole team.

"On another day they would have had a couple of goals each. It's just highly annoying and frustrating. We just have to keep doing the right things and hope that we turn the corner soon.

"You can't question the commitment from the boys and the way we played was great, we just need that end product – that's the difference.

"The boys gave it everything they had and it was very frustrating and unfortunate that we don't seem to be getting luck at the moment."

Forres hit the post in the 13th minute through Gregor MacDonald, with the ball rebounding to Ethan Cairns whose drilled cross somehow evaded Shaun Morrison.

Rothes had chances in the first period, with set pieces a danger. Morrison again had a chance five minutes into the second half after Craig Mackenzie's through ball, but was denied by Rothes keeper Sean McCarthy.

Greg Morrison hit the post for the visitors, before goalkeeper Lee Herbert made a great save to deny Jake Thomson and Gary Kerr from close range.

Cairns was denied by Rothes defender Callum Haspell on the hour mark. When Morrison's shot came back off McCarthy, Cairns fired goalwards but an incredible Haspell clearance saw it knocked over the bar.

Rothes grabbed a 79th-minute winner when Aidan Wilson turned Morrison's cross home at the back post.

MacDonald added: "If we get the goal we deserved for our pressure at the start then we would go on and win the game comfortably, but it's not going in just now.

"We had lots of chances and on a different day we will score goals, but at the moment Lady Luck is deserting us.

"It's too easy to say we need a 30-goal striker – everyone wants one of them – but that would be disrespectful to the boys that are playing because they did really well.

"There are plenty goals in the team, but it's more confidence. Boys need a lift and a goal and a win gives you that."

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Forres host Brechin City at Mosset Park on Saturday before welcoming Huntly to town next Wednesday night.