Tough tussle gives Cans a well-deserved points share

Deveronvale 2 Forres Mechanics 2

TWO goals in the space of a minute gave Forres Mechanics a point that they thoroughly merited as the Can Cans belied a mixture of illness and injury to put on an impressive performance at one of the toughest venues in the league.

Simon Allan came straight back into the side in place of the absent Graham Fraser, Ryan Mackintosh replaced Ross Macpherson while Lee Fraser started as Scott Moore dropped out due to injury.

Forres started the game well and full back Simon Allan had two long range strikes directed goalwards which made Darren McConnachie work then Kevin Duguid tried his luck after turning Connor Rennie but it flew just over the bar.

The Mechanics were on top but midway through the half they fell behind when Tom Hutchinson won the ball from Lee Fraser and then threaded through Martin Charlesworth who sprung the offside trap before rounding Stewart Knight and placing into an empty net.

Against the run of play the home team then went two goals up before half time. John Urquhart put the ball out wide to Bob Morrice who cut inside on the left before putting in a great ball for Colin Charlesworth who placed it into the bottom left hand corner from 6 yards with a first time effort.

Undaunted the Mechanics stuck to their game plan on the second half and were soon creating chances. Duncan Jones fed in Ross Archibald but Darren McConnachie was alert and was able to deny his former Lossiemouth team mate.

The Mechanics breakthrough finally arrived in the 58th minute when Craig McGovern played a short pass into Lee Fraser and he picked out the top right hand corner with a beautifully curled shot from 18 yards.

A minute later it was all square. Some good football saw the Mechanics work the ball into Kyle Scott who then drilled the ball into exactly the same spot as Lee Fraser had found just 60 seconds earlier.

Charlie Brown made a cameo appearance late on and he was joined by a player on the other end of the age range with Andrew Howard being given a late burst. Although neither could find a winner Kevin Duguid did have a chance to claim all three points near the end but he was unable to find the back of the net.

Deveronvale: Darren McConnachie, Connor Rennie, Kevin Adams, Tom Hutchison, Scott Fraser, Graeme Rodger (Graeme Watt 67), Colin Charlesworth, John Urquhart, Martin Charlesworth, Craig Morrison (Craig Cowie 60), Bob Morrice (Kris Duncan 79) Subs: Michele Lombardi, Jamie Macdonald

Scorers: Martin Charlesworth (30) Colin Charlesworth (43)

Booked: - Sent Off: -

Forres Mechanics: Stuart Knight, Simon Allan (Willie Barron 73), Ryan Mackintosh (Andrew Howard 87), Graeme Grant, Steve Fraser, Duncan Jones, Ross Archibald (Charlie Brown 86), Kevin Duguid, Lee Fraser, Kyle Scott, Craig McGovern Subs: Scott Moore, Shaun McIntosh

Scorers: Lee Fraser (58) Kyle Scott (59)

Booked: Willie Barron (75) Sent Off: -

Referee: Andy Milne

Gazette Gold Star: Lee Fraser’s goal was a big moment in the game but it wasn’t enough to sneak the gold star off Duncan Jones who pulled the strings at the base of the diamond.