Lossiemouth earned their first point of the season with a competent 1-1 draw at home to Fraserburgh. The Coasters put in a battling shift and, although the point was only secured in the final minutes with a header from Craig Morrison, it had been earned over the course of the game through solid defending, hard work in midfield and a marked improvement in performance over last week at Banff.

The home side started brightly, with McMullan and Moir looking particularly sharp. Fraserburgh appeared content to sit back and soak up the pressure before attempting to break down a leaky Lossie defence. A McMullan pass allowed Graeme Kennedy the first real chance of the game, but he could only fire his shot at the keeper. Craig Morrison also put down a marker, striking the ball just wide from 18 yards. Lossie were taking the game to the Broch, who were not having the best of days, and looked strangely uncomfortable at times.

Just when you though Lossie would get to half time without any scares, Gareth Smith was red-carded for getting involved in an off-the-ball incident. McMullan halted a Gavin Weymss surge into the box, but Smith took offence to the Broch players attempt at the ball, and steamed in with hands raised. The red card that followed meant Lossie would have their work cut out for the remainder of the game.

Just before the half, Craig Morrison was gifted a free shot at goal by Broch keeper Billy Thompson, whose scuffed goal kick landed at the feet of the former New Elgin striker. Unfortunately, he failed to convert, hitting the ball straight at Thompson.

Half time – Lossiemouth 0 Fraserburgh 0

Thoughts of the first clean sheet of the season evaporated three minutes into the second half when James GEDDES was given a free header inside the six-yard box. Despite his lack of goals for the Broch, he took the chance well and put the visitors in front. Five minutes later it could have been two, but once again Steve Dunn came to the rescue, palming away a diving header from former Skiter Russell McBride.

Fraserburgh were looking more relaxed, and their one goal and one-man lead allowed them to start to play some football. Kevin Norris flashed a shot just wide of the post, and Dunn was once again keeping the game alive by saving again from McBride.

Lossie were still creating, and Ellis came closest in the second half. A weaving run saw him beat two men and find space, but his strike was deflected wide for a corner. Substitute Joe Lasley then put a cross between Morrison and Thompson, but the Lossie man couldn’t get there in time.

The final whistle was approaching when Lossie finally got their season going. A succession of corners had caused the Broch problems at the back, and from the third came the equaliser. The ball was hit into the box at the perfect height and Craig MORRISON was there at the near post to head home and ensure Lossie got at least a point.

At long last, something to cheer. Regardless of the start to the season, this is a big result, as Lossie haven’t the best of records against the Broch, but to come away from this game with something will give both the team and support hope going into a run of games against teams traditionally from the lower end of the league.