Forres goalkeeper Daniel McLeod is left gutted after the penalty shootout. Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
FORRES Thistle manager Tony Ross said his players are "gutted" but should be proud of their efforts after losing to Dufftown on penalties in the Elginshire Cup final.
The Jags twice came from behind against Dufftown at Logie Park on Saturday, drawing 2-2 before falling to a 5-3 penalty shootout defeat.
It's the second time in as many games that the Jags have been left devastated late on, having lost the league title to Rothie Rovers 1-0 at Logie Park thanks to an added time goal.
Manager Tony Ross said: "It's a gutting way to lose a game of football.
"We lost the league in the last kick of the game here and now we've lost a cup final on penalties here. It's all pretty hard to take.
"The players are gutted but they have got to be proud of what they have done this season – with the runs they have been on in the league and getting to a cup final.
"I'm proud of everything the players have done."
Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black, formerly of Elgin City, was called into action within seconds of kick-off – turning away Matty Fraser's header.
It was 1-0 to the Toonsers within six minutes, though, as Ben Cullen smashed home Finlay Stables' pass from inside the box.
Forres goalkeeper Daniel McLeod is rooted to the spot as Dufftown #10 Ben Cullen scores the opener...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Dufftown's Ben Cullen wheels away to celebrate the opening goal. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
But Thistle fought back well and levelled on 18 minutes when Mattie Davidson's through ball was neatly clipped home by Fraser.
Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser scores past Dufftown goalkeeper Stewart Black to make it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser celebrates his goal after he makes it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Forres Thistle's Matthew Fraser celebrates his goal after he makes it 1-1 in the first half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
The game went into the break all square – but only after Dufftown passed up two chances to take the lead.
First, Michael Dunn's header came crashing back off the crossbar on 40 minutes and then, two minutes before half-time, Cullen's lob dropped just wide of the post.
The second half was a scrappier affair with few chances at either end until Dufftown edged back ahead on 78 minutes. Finlay Stables' header looped over Dan McLeod in the Forres goal and in.
Finlay Stables roars with delight after putting Dufftown ahead in the second half...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Dufftown celebrate their second half goal...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Just as it seemed the trophy was headed to Dufftown, Forres struck again in time added on.
Michael Dunn conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box for a foul on Matty Fraser and Mattie Davidson stepped up to drill the ball from 20 yards into the bottom right-hand corner.
Dufftown's Michael Dunn fouls Forres' Matthew Fraser late in the second half to give away a free kick on the edge of the box...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Michael Dunn cannot believe referee Kevin Buchanan's decision as he awards a free kick to Forres and books the Dufftown centre half. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Forres Thistle's Matthew Davidson strikes a late free kick, which deflects off Dufftown stopper Michael Dunn into the net. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Forres Thistle #11 Matthew Davidson celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for the Jags. ..Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
The game went straight to penalties, where Dufftown prevailed 5-3. Forres midfielder Ross Paterson – who took first for the Jags – was the only player to miss in the shootout, seeing his low effort saved by Stewart Black.
The winning penalty was scored by 16-year-old Aiden Cruickshank.
Ross Paterson's Forres penalty was saved by Dufftown keeper Stewart Black...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..Dufftown's Aiden Cruickshank scores the winning penalty...Dufftown FC (2) vs Forres Thistle FC (2) - Dufftown FC win 5-3 on penalties - Elginshire Cup Final held at Logie Park, Forres 14/05/2022...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Tony Ross added: "It's been a while since we were challenging for cups and leagues, so the players have got to take a massive amount of confidence from that.
"It hurts just now but by the time we get back for next season that should drive us on to win things next time.
"The players are down, but they'll pick themselves up and we'll go and win something next year."
Scroll through the story of the match below with our picture gallery.
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