Close, but no cigar. An entertaining afternoon at Grant Park saw Lossie put in a much-improved performance compared to the previous weekend at Forres, but Clach ran out narrow winners, scoring three times to Lossies two. Michael Wintjes returned to the Lossie side in place of Steven Dixon, the only change from last weekends forgettable outing to Mosset Park.

Lossie were the first to threaten, minutes into the game. A mistake in the midfield saw the ball break to Craig Morrison on the halfway line, and Lossies top scorer raced away to bear down on goal. The heavy pitch provided more opposition than the Clach defence as he made to shoot, with the ball getting stuck between his feet allowing Clach to clear their lines.

The visitors were next to threaten. Young star Blair Lawrie swung a fine cross into the box to present Gordon Morrison with a free header, only for the winger to head wide when it looked easier to score.

Lossie went close shortly after, when Morrison flashed a cross low across the box. With no one there, the chance went to waste. The home side was creating chances much as they had done at Forres, but continually let Clach off the hook by not taking them. Doug Coull was next to have a look at goal, but blazed over when a pass looked a better option.

At the other end, a Gary Black free kick from twenty yards clipped the crossbar on the half hour, and minutes later the tourists opened the scoring. A Morrison cross from the right was met by a totally unmarked LAWRIE and he made no mistake in heading home from a few yards. Gary Black almost made it two immediately after, forcing Dunn into a fine low save to his right to turn the ball around the post.

Half time - Lossiemouth 0 Clachnacuddin 1

The second half started brightly for Lossie. Morrison ran on to a sharp pass from McIntosh, chasing the ball into the box and appeared to go down under a challenge from Ridgers. The referee felt the Lossie forward had made too much of it though, and the penalty claim went unheeded.

Lossie had an equaliser minutes later however, a goal well deserved on the balance of play. Ellis fired a direct corner into the box, and MCMULLAN steamed in to head down and between a stationary goalkeeper and his man on the post.

The game was not level for long, and it was Clach who scored to go ahead for the second time. David Ross headed the ball into the path of sub Bruce MCCRAW and he fired home into the bottom corner of the net giving Dunn no chance.

The next chance fell to Gary Ross, who sprung the Lossie offside trap and after a look at the linesman he raced towards Dunn, only to lose his composure and blaze high and wide.

Clach went further ahead with five minutes left through Gary ROSS, who saw his initial shot well saved by Dunn but with the rebound falling at his feet, he had no trouble making it three.

Lossie made sure of a nervy finish when they reeled Clach in with a second goal moments later. Lee Moir crossed into the box and with the visiting defence static, MORRISON scooped the ball in from close range. Martin McMullan had the final chance of the afternoon and had it not been for an acrobatic save from Ridgers, his shot from distance would have sealed a fighting comeback for the home side, but it was not to be. 

Full time - Lossiemouth 2 Clachnacuddin 3

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