Lossiemouth
2
Losing important, late goals has been the curse of this season for Les Fridge's side as they have lost vital league points to Buckie Thistle, Cove Rangers and Wick Academy thanks to goals scored by the opposition in the dying minutes. And the curse struck again after Brian Macleod had given the home side the lead and Shaun Kerr had restored County's advantage following Callum Reid's leveller for Lossie on the stroke of half time.
Fridge was without the work-bound Martin MacDonald and opted to go with the energy and drive of Glenn Main in midfield. The change meant that Steven Edwards dropped into the defence to fill MacDonald's role. New signings Gary Black and Andrea Coletto both found themselves among the substitutes, with the latter making a second half debut.
Lossiemouth came close to breaking the deadlock six minutes in when David Blackhall rose highest in the box to meet Graeme Wilson's free kick into the box but the former Fochabers forward could only glance his header beyond the far post.
But after drawing a blank in front of goal in last week's derby defeat to Forres, County flew out of the traps in an attacking sense when they opened the scoring with their first attack of the match. Brian Macleod collected the ball on the left touchline and his whipped delivery into the box was caught by the sweeping wind. This led to the cross-cum-shot deceiving Lossie goalkeeper Darren McConnachie as the ball drifted over his head and into the net at the far post.
Both sides found it difficult to deal with the blustery conditions but the visitors almost pulled level when Gary Tweedie met another Wilson delivery into the box but his header was easily held by County goalkeeper John Campbell.
At the other end, midfielder Wayne Mackintosh tried his luck with a well-struck effort from 40 yards out but his shot was gathered by McConnachie.
Just when it looked as if Nairn would take a one-goal lead in with them at the break, Lossiemouth got back on level terms. Blackhall collected the ball at the halfway line wide on the left and beat Steven Edwards before driving for the box where he squared the ball across goal and past the advancing Campbell to the unmarked Callum Reid at the back post. The former Elgin youngster then had the easy task of stroking the ball into the unguarded net from a couple of yards. (H-T 1-1).
The home side regained their lead however three minutes short of the hour mark. Gregg Main whipped a corner from the right that was flicked on by Chris Finnigan to his strike partner Shaun Kerr at the far post. He had the time and space to control the ball and get turned before executing a composed finish which took his tally for the season to 11.
The visitors had a shout for a penalty denied only seconds after falling behind when Darren Watson went to ground under Macleod's challenge but referee Brian Braidwood waved play on.
Lossie midfielder JayJay Urquhart then surged towards the Nairn goal and past a couple of challenges before being blocked by Duncan Jones's sliding tackle just as he was about to shoot for goal.
County should have wrapped up the points six minutes from time when they were handed a golden opportunity on a plate. McConnachie's throw out caught Lossiemouth defender Steven Dixon unawares and the ball broke to Nairn forward Finnigan. The former Elgin City man had time on his hands as he raced in on goal but he could only fire his shot straight at McConnachie, who diverted the ball wide for a corner. It was a miss that the home side would rue come full time.
As the visitors threw bodies forward to try and get something out of the game, Nairn almost caught them out at the other end and only a Craig Donaldson challenged kept County skipper Willie Barron at bay.
Lossiemouth were handed a great chance to get something from the game when Nairn substitute Andrea Coletto handled on the edge of the County box. From the resulting free kick, Dixon saw his effort spin up off the wall to Blackhall whose shot was blocked on the line by Nairn's Martin Sanderson who was again in the right place to prevent Sean McIntosh's follow up from creeping in.
The visitors were back on the attack minutes later when County shotstopper Campbell was caught out trying to usher the ball out of play. It eventually found its way to Tweedie who saw his 20-yard shot deflected behind for a corner. Blackhall then delivered an inviting flag kick which picked out Lamont in the centre who nodded home from a couple of yards to restore parity in the 92nd minute.
There was still time for Nairn to mount a late charge to try and re-establish their advantage but Barron's powerful drive was gathered by McConnachie to ensure that County's winless run continues. (F-T 2-2).
Goals: 2
Shots on target: 6
Shots off target: 5
Corners won: 5
Offsides against: 0
Fouls conceded: 10
Woodwork hit: 0
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Goals: 2
Shots on target: 5
Shots off target: 3
Corners won: 3
Offsides against: 2
Fouls conceded: 14
Woodwork hit: 0
Yellow cards: 4
Red cards: 0
1)John Campbell: 6
12)Duncan Jones: 7
17)Steven Edwards: 6
19)Glenn Main: 5
[14)Andrea Coletto 59]: 3
24)Martin Sanderson: 7
6)Wayne Mackintosh: 7 y21
7)Willie Barron: 6
22)Gregg Main: 6 y72
9)Shaun Kerr: 7
[8)Johnathon Holland 78]: 2
13)Chris Finnigan: 6 y67
11)Brian Macleod: 7
Subs Unused:
21)Gary Black
23)Marc MacDonald
30)Willie Ridgers (GK)
1)Darren McConnachie: 7
2)Darren Watson: 6
3)Callum Reid: 7
4)Steven Dixon: 6 y71
5)Kevin Stuart: 6
6)Craig Donaldson: 6 y67
7)Graeme Wilson: 6 y67
[14)Sean McIntosh 63]: 3
8)George Russell: 6
9)David Blackhall: 7
10)JayJay Urquhart: 6
[16)Duncan Lamont 82]: 3
11)Gary Tweedie: 7 y67
Subs Unused:
12)Paul McDonald
15)Kyle Stewart
17)Craig Masterton (GK)