Breedon Highland League champions Fraserburgh lost more ground at the top of the table after drawing 1-1 with Forres Mechanics.
Martin Groat netted an own goal to give the Broch a first half lead, but Ben Barron’s counter in the second half earned the Can-Cans a point at Mosset Park.
The result means Fraserburgh are now seven points behind leaders Brechin City having played a game more. Forres stay seventh in the division.
The home side were without the likes of Graham Fraser, Ruari Fraser, Dale Wood, Jack Grant and Ryan MacLeman.
That meant manager Steven MacDonald fielded Lee Fraser – ordinarily a striker – at centre-back.
The visitors made two changes from their midweek win over Huntly with Sean Butcher and Logan Watt dropping to the bench and Connor Wood and Jamie Beagrie brought in.
Exciting opening
It was Fraserburgh who had the first effort on nine minutes.
Greg Buchan drilled a 25-yard free-kick under the wall but goalkeeper Stuart Knight held on.
At the other end Ross Aitken’s poor backpass let Barron in but his touch was poor and the ball rolled through to Joe Barbour.
In the 16th minute Willie West’s cross from the left broke for Paul Young, but Knight made an excellent block to repel the strike from 12 yards.
When Forres were able to get the ball into Barron his hold up and link-up was good but the Can-Cans couldn’t capitalise by creating many openings.
Scott Barbour’s run in behind were causing problems for the home side. Midway through the first period Paul Young released him down the left.
Barbour picked out Buchan with the cutback only for Kane Davies to make an excellent last-ditch tackle.
A few minutes later Buchan found Barbour down the left flank again and on this occasion the striker dragged his cross-cum-shot beyond the far post.
The Broch were gradually cranking up the pressure and made the breakthrough after half an hour in bizarre circumstances.
Barbour flighted in a free-kick from the right and although he was under little pressure Can-Cans captain Groat glanced the ball into his own net.
Having defended doggedly Forres passed up a good chance to equalise six minutes later.
Shaun Morrison’s ball in behind released Barron and with goalkeeper Joe Barbour stranded the young striker sent his lob inches over the crossbar.
On 38 minutes Knight was called into action again, making a good save from Beagrie’s header.
Five minutes before half-time it looked the game might have to be abandoned when assistant referee Andy Stephenson sustained an injury.
But after an appeal Claire Batty from Fraserburgh – who is currently undertaking the SFA’s refereeing course – stepped forward to run the line and the game resumed following a nine-minute delay.
Before the first period was over Buchan had a shot deflected wide by Fraser and Scott Barbour headed over.
Can-Cans respond
The next goal was always going to have a major bearing on the outcome and both sides were looking for it at the start of the second period.
Ethan Cairns had a shot from 20 yards deflected off target for Forres and at the other end Wood was twice denied by Knight, firstly with a header and then a shot having been picked out at the back post.
In the 65th it was the Can-Cans who levelled. Shaun Morrison found space on the right side of the area and although his initial effort was parried by Joe Barbour, Morrison got on to the loose ball and squared for Barron to tap home.
The game was on a knife edge after that with both side finding it difficult to carve out many chances.
For Fraserburgh the matter was pressing as they were faced with the prospect of losing more ground at the top of the table.
With 10 minutes left the Broch did have the ball in the net but sub Butcher was flagged offside when heading home Buchan’s cross.
In the 85th minute Forres sub Harvey Henderson showed neat footwork to tee up Callum Johnston, but his low strike from 14 yards drifted just wide.
A minute later Knight made an excellent save to keep the score level when Kieran Simpson connected with Ross Aitken’s free-kick.
Then Butcher released fellow sub Zane Laird on the left but his touch let him down when he had the chance to test Knight.
Despite late pressure from Fraserburgh Forres held out for a point.