Own goal leads to first league defeat of season for Inverurie Locos
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Inverurie Locos suffered their first Highland League defeat of the season at the hands of Forres Mechanics.
A Mark Souter own goal shortly into the second half was all that separated the two sides at a sweltering Harlaw Park on Saturday.
Before the game started Locos captain Greg Mitchell and vice-captain Souter were recognised for each making 250 appearances for the club.
It was a cagey start to the match with chances few and far between for both teams.
Robert Ward was looking dangerous for the hosts and he made a good run into the Forres half, beat a few players, turned and got a shot away but his effort was high and wide of the target.
Ward proved to be a threat again, however, the visitors managed to block his next effort. In the aftermath Logan Johnstone sent a good ball into the box which nobody got on the end of.
Locos were awarded a free-kick in a good position which was struck towards goal by Calum Dingwall and Stuart Knight was there to dive and save.
At the other end a long range effort was sent in towards the goal by Forres but it hit the roof of the net and went out.
The visitors had a couple of opportunities at the end of the first half. Locos had left themselves open with Ethan Cairns making a good run and was blocked.
From a corner there was a goalmouth scramble with the ball falling to Ben Barron who could not guide it home.
After the break Locos threatened first when Matthew Petermann sent in a nice high ball to Fergus Alberts who did not find the target with his header.
Forres then took the lead when Ryan MacLeman played in Cairns who got a cross sent into the box and Souter slided in to block it but put the ball into the net for an own goal, with Ben Barron waiting to pounce.
Locos went on the hunt for an equaliser and substitute Jay Halliday fired in a good ball which was delivered to Ward, however, he could not control it and it went out of play.
The hosts continued to press and sub Jamie Michie played a cross to Lloyd Robertson who got a header on to it which went by the post and out.
Forres then had a chance to increase their lead when Cairns was through on goal. Pressure from Locos goalkeeper Andy Reid saw him send his effort into the side netting.
Locos were pushing for a goal but were proving to be wasteful with Souter, Ward and Halliday all squandering opportunities in the Forres box.
As the game came to a close Locos continued to press but the Can-Cans held on for the victory.
Inverurie Locos manager Richard Hastings said: "It was a very frustrating result.
"It wasn't a disaster how we played but we just lacked that cutting edge and you can't do that against Forres.
"We said to the players to ask more questions of them and I'm disappointed in that regard because it just never came off.
"We looked in control in the first half and anything that was there for them was created from our decisions and mistakes. It was a case off cut it out and keep on the front foot.
"We were tame in what we were doing when it really counted. It's disappointing as we wanted to build on last week's performance and result.
"We wanted the boys to go out and perform like that again because that builds confidence and momentum.
"At the start of the second half it was a strange goal to concede and then they were holding on to a 1-0 lead. Their players were so deep it was hard to get in behind them.
"We've just got to regroup as you can't dwell on this. The boys are hurting right now and I'll be expecting to see a reaction.
"You can certainly learn from it and we have to. We will take the positives from it like our passing was good but we will need to work harder on being in the game and fighting and scrapping for second balls.
"We'll dust ourselves down, it's a hard one to take but we will get going again."
