Own goal keeps Forres Thistle promotion challenge on track as Jags defeat Newmachar United in McBookie.com North Region Junior Division 2 clash
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FORRES Thistle struck late to move into second place in the north junior league second division table.
Jags hosted Newmachar United, who sat in second place just two points ahead of the home side at kick off time on Saturday.
With Forres goalkeeper Daniel Mcleod sent off at Rothie Rovers on the previous weekend, he was suspended and RAF Lossiemouth serviceman Danny Hall deputised.
Hall was in action after 15 minutes, saving a 20-yard Greg Wood free kick with his feet.
Opposite number Rory Myles dealt with Charlie Beck's long range strike soon after.
Chances were at a premium, with Newmachar's Ryan Whelan clearing a Brandon Hutcheson header off the line, then forcing a Hall save at the other end when he was played through two minutes later.
Into the second half, Beck fired just past for Jags and on 52 minutes set up an opportunity for Ricky Wardrop, who also missed the target.
Beck couldn't get enough contact on a Ross Paterson pass from the left, while a Mattie Davidson corner put United under pressure but was cleared in the goalmouth.
Finally, with ten minutes left Forres made a scoring breakthrough.
Sub Matty Fraser broke down the left and fired in a cross which Newmachar's Lewis Robertson tried to clear but under pressure from Wardrop he could only force the ball into his own net.
Beck fired just past as Forres chased a killer second goal, but their late own goal proved to be enough to secure a crucial three points.
