Forres Mechanics manager ‘disappointed’ for his players after Scottish Cup exit to Jeanfield Swifts

Forres Mechanics manager Steven MacDonald said his players deserve “a lot of praise” after their narrow Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Jeanfield Swifts.

The East of Scotland League leaders defeated the Can-Cans - seventh in the Highland League - 2-1 at Mosset Park to progress to the competition’s second round, where they will face League Two side Edinburgh City.

MacDonald was pleased with the way Mechanics played and was “disappointed for the players” that their efforts weren’t quite enough.

“We played well,” he said. “It was a tight game and the boys deserve a lot of praise for the way they went about it.

“We weren’t quite good enough. I thought we we edged the first half without making their keeper work too much. I was happy with the way we played and the way we went about it.

“We would have liked to create more but our final ball and decision making weren’t quite good enough on the day.

“Everyone will be disappointed because there wasn’t much in the game, but these games are going to be like that against good experienced sides.”

Jeanfield started the brighter of the two sides, but there wasn’t much in a tightly-contested first period until the visitors were headed in front by Christopher Dodd on the stroke of half-time.

The Perth-based visitors doubled their lead in the 85th minute when Ronan McMurchie’s cross flew over the head of Forres keeper Cammy Farquhar and in.

Forres grabbed what turned out to be a consolation in added time when Mark McLauchlan rifled home from inside the box.

Substitute Aidan Cruickshank was sent off in the aftermath of the goal for the Cans.

MacDonald added: “The goal on half-time was a key moment. We switched off for half a second and were punished.

“I thought we edged the first half without making their keeper work too much. I was happy with the way we played and the way we went about it.

“But it was a key moment as it gave them some confidence and something to defend in the second half.

“I was pleased with the boys and I’m disappointed for them because they put a lot into the game.

“Well done to Jeanfield and good luck to them in the next round.”