Post Match Reaction: Fridge Planning Team Rebuild
It was a bitter experience for Nairn County at Station Park against Lossiemouth as the visitors grabbed a share of the spoils with a goal in the second minute of injury time.
Goals from Brian Macleod and Shaun Kerr had set Les Fridge's men on their way to their first win of 2008 and they looked comfortable despite Callum Reid briefly levelling things up for the Coasters before Kerr's strike. But in all-too-familiar fashion, the loss of a late goal proved costly for County again as Duncan Lamont popped up at the death to nod home a David Blackhall corner and grab a point
Speaking after full time, Fridge said: "It has been a pattern this year where we have lost goals late on or in the last couple of minutes.
"I thought we controlled the second half of the game today and we looked the more likely team to win. We had a couple of glorious chances that we did not take and we were punished by a set piece. It was an inswinging corner in the gusty win and probably the tallest guy on the park - I think he must be about 6 ft 5 - appears at the back post and knocks it in so it is difficult to take."
He added: "I think the conditions played a part. We like to get the ball down, knock it about and play and I think we did that for spells in the second half when I thought we were very comfortable but it's not over until the referee blows his whistle."
County had a marvellous chance to put the game beyond their visitors when the score was still 2-1 but forward Chris Finnigan blasted the ball straight at Lossie goalkeeper Darren McConnachie in a one-on-one situation.
Fridge said: "Fini had a great chance. It was a bad kick out by the
"We had a couple of other wee half chances that we could have done better with as well. But we are not scoring a lot of goals this season although we are creating a lot of chances. It's just one of those things and we are working on it."
Fridge's side made a formidable start to the season where they were solid and grinding out results against tough and stuffy opposition. But all that came to an end on the back of a lengthy six-week lay off because of the adverse weather throughout December and early January. County have now not won a match since December 1 when they defeated Fraserburgh.
The manager said: "I said to the boys in there, it's the same squad of players and the same system. We haven't changed anything (from before the lay off) but the break has definitely knocked us off our stride. But that is not an excuse, it's a fact. If you are out for that length of time - which is longer than pre-season - it is definitely going to affect you."
County gained one position in the league despite dropping two points in the game but remain three points behind Forres Mechanics, albeit with a game in hand.
Fridge said: "We would still like to be the top team in the north. We have got that game in hand on Forres and two games in hand on Clach so we will just take it as it comes."
He added: "We lost a lot of players at the start of the season which is well documented. These things happen but it means we have an extremely young team now and I don't think there's any doubting that. It's now a case of looking to the future and having to rebuild again. I had to do it when I first came here four years ago and several other clubs have been doing it over the past couple of years. We're no different to anyone else and it is a case of giving these boys games so they can get the experience and look to build again.
"But today I thought Wayne Mackintosh played really well as did Gregg Main and Willie Barron who were in midfield alongside him. These are all local boys and Glenn Main was on as well and we brought on Andrea Coletto on the left hand side so I think it's obvious that we are looking to go down a different route now. Most of the teams around about us have done it and like I say, I had to do it when I first came in and I think we are going to have to do it again. There are not a lot of players about, and everybody's fighting for the same players in this area."
Next Saturday, County take a break from league duty as the Highland League Cup gets underway. Fridge's side will take on league leaders Cove Rangers at Station Park in the first round.