Mechanics pick up three points on road trip

Two superb strikes in the first half helped Forres on the way to an excellent win over Nairn County at Station Park, with Stuart Soane following up his weekend hat-trick against Lossiemouth with another double.

Max Ewan almost put Nairn in front within the opening two minutes when he rounded the onrushing Forres goalkeeper Stuart Knight, only to see his goal bound effort cleared to safety by James Ross.

On-loan Brora Rangers keeper Will Counsell made a couple of early saves on his home debut, denying first Declan Hughes then Soane in a five-minute spell.

Mechanics stunned County with two cracking goals in two minutes.

They opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Robbie Duncanson struck a fine low drive into the bottom left-hand corner from 20 yards, followed by a 30yard screamer from the in-form Soane that flew high into the net via the post.

Nairn were reduced to 10 men just before the break, defender Fraser Dingwall dismissed by referee Alan Proctor for a late challenge on midfielder Martin Groat.

Half-time Nairn substitute Adam Naismith flashed an effort just wide of the post in the 53rd minute as the home side looked for a way back into the match.

Counsell produced another decent save to tip an Allan MacPhee strike over the crossbar in the 65th minute.

Fifteen minutes from time, Soane added his second and Forres’s third of the night from close range after being set up by some excellent work down the left flank by MacPhee.

Liam Shewan had a goal ruled out for offside for Nairn three minutes later, but Forres saw out the remainder of the match to claim a big three points and move up to sixth in the table, level on points with County.

Brace: For Stuart Soane