Lossie came from behind this weekend to force their Qualifying Cup semi-final with Inverurie Locos to a replay. Despite an early goal from Kenny Coull, Locos had to wait until ten minutes from time to get a second through Ritchie Singer, only for Lossie to pull one back immediately through Graeme Kennedy, before a 94^th minute penalty from Steven Ellis secured a draw and the chance to do it all again next week.

A bright clear day and a full house at Grant Park met the players as they took to the field. Both sides were missing important players, with Martin McMullan still on holiday for Lossie, and Tommy Wilson absent through injury. Both sides started sharply, with the visitors settling quicker and making more of the ball early on.

Locos took the lead 12 minutes in. A Scott Buchan cross was met by an unmarked Kenny COULL, who headed home from six yards. Not the best of starts for Lossie, who have recently made a habit of losing early goals before struggling to get back into the game. The Coasters had their first real chance 25 minutes in when Morrison was sent clear by McIntosh, but Stuart Gray in goal got down well to block the initial shot and then the rebound.

Locos were enjoying most of the possession at this stage, but were struggling to break Lossie down. The hosts were defending on the edge of their box and keeping Locos at a safe distance. Singer unleashed a 30-yard shot, but it flew over the bar to safety, and with his first touch, sub Danny Milne forced Dunn into an excellent one handed save, tipping a header over the bar. Lossie occasionally escaped defensive duties, and Moir concluded a weaving run down the right with a fine cross into the box, only for Gray to pluck it out of the air before Morrison could get to it.

The visitors could have had a second just before the break, when Stuart McKay sprinted through on Dunn, but the big keeper was down quickly to force the ball out for a corner. Locos frustration continued with a succession of corners which all came to nothing, and the teams went into the break with just the one goal between them.

Half time – Lossiemouth 0 Inverurie Locos 1

Lossie started the second half with plenty of fire, smelling a goal against a Locos side not firing on all cylinders. The home side had most of the ball for the opening stages and came ever closer to getting an equaliser. Morrison beat two men on a run into the box, only to run out of room before passing the ball out to Garrett, who could only shoot over. Morrison had the best chance of the game on the hour, but his header from an Ellis cross sailed over the bar.

Unfortunately for Lossie, Locos got a second goal twelve minutes from time. Ritchie SINGER was on hand to knock the ball over the line after Scott Buchans pass along the goal line was missed by the Lossie defence. At this point, Lossie should have been out of it, but the Grant Park residents went straight downfield and pulled a goal back. A throw in by Gareth Smith was flicked on by Graeme KENNEDY, and it bounced through the six yard box and rolled in at the far post. As goals go, it wasn’t the most beautiful to have graced Grant Park, but they all count, and it was game on.

Just when you thought Locos were going to through to the final for the second year running, the game produced a spectacular ending. Steve Dunn sent a free kick into the box, where it was handled by Mark Simpson under pressure from one of his teammates, and Lossie were awarded a penalty. Steven ELLIS showed nerves of steel to step up and calmly knock the ball past Gray, who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. Seconds later, the referee called time on an excellent advertisement for HFL football, and more of the same next week would be most appreciated.

Full time – Lossiemouth 2 Inverurie Locos 2