Forres Mechanics 1 Inverurie Loco Works 0: Cans dig in for impressive win

FORRES Mechanics showed they are once again ready to mix it with teams at the top end of the Highland League as they beat Inverurie Loco Works 1-0 on Saturday.

The Cans got a week that will also see them host third-place Brora Rangers and second-place Buckie Thistle off to a flying start with the hard-fought victory.

A second half goal from Allan Macphee was enough to secure Forres' first win against a top half side this campaign.

Manager Steven Macdonald said: "The way we really took the game to them was great.

"That's something they can be really proud of as a team. The commitment and effort was brilliant.

"It's encouraging to beat a good team like Inverurie."

Forres got off to a quick start when Paul Brindle capitalised on a defensive error to get in behind after three minutes, but his effort was blocked.

Locos took 26 minutes to register a shot on target in an evenly-matched first period, but Lee Herbert easily held Kieran Shanks' acrobatic effort.

Forres started the second half at a lightning quick pace and should have been ahead on 49 minutes but Paul Brindle rifled Allan Macphee's low cross against the inside of the post.

The home fans only had to wait another seven minutes to celebrate, though. Callum Johnston's dangerous corner was nodded across goal by Graham Fraser and headed home from close range, via the crossbar, by Macphee.

It could have been 2-0 to the Cans on 65 minutes as Locos keeper Andy Reid cleared straight to Johnston, but his first-time effort bounced just wide of an empty target.

Now it was time to defend for Mechanics, who had to weather an almighty Locos onslaught to take the points.

Keeper Lee Herbert made an outstanding save on 72 minutes, rushing off his line to get a hand to substitute Ross Still's header.

Still was causing the Forres defence plenty problems and was denied again three minutes later – this time his shot beat Herbert but came back off his own team mate Kieran Shanks on the line.

Shanks then went close himself, with a combination of a hand from Herbert and a goal-line clearance from Dale Wood denying him.

The final effort of note for the visitors at the end of an eight-minute-long barrage came as Still's curling strike crashed back off the crossbar.

Forres held firm to move up to 10th in the Highland League.

"The first 15 minutes of the second half we really played well," Macdonald added.

"Then they put the big boy Still on and put about four up front and were throwing everything at us.

"Lee had a magnificent point-blank save to keep us ahead and they hit the bar as well – but I think we deserve that luck, not only in this game, but against Nairn we lost a late goal that was unfortunate and against Brechin we were desperately unlucky.

"If it balances out a wee bit you'd like to think we deserved that."

Forres have to go again against Brora Rangers on Wednesday night, with the Cattachs still well in the title picture.

However, there will be a big eye on Saturday's Highland League Cup semi final with Buckie Thistle at Mosset Park.

"It's a hard week," Macdonald added. "We have to manage Wednesday and try to get our strongest team available for Buckie and give everything for that.

"Saturday is definitely the biggest game. To get to a cup final would be brilliant for the club.

"We want to improve the league position but Saturday is the priority."

Jack Grant (head), Ruari Fraser (calf) and Kane Davies (Covid) will all miss the Brora match, with Tom Brady doubtful.