INVERURIE Locos made it an unwanted three defeats in a row.
On the back of two losses at Peterhead and Huntly, this was a defeat which seriously dents their League Championship aspirations.
On a rain soaked afternoon, two first half goals fro
m set pieces by Gavin Wemyss for the visitors and Mo Morrison left the scored tied at half time, but a late second half goal from Jamie Ralph secured the points for the away side.
The Bellslea side shocked the home support by grabbing the lead inside 20 minutes. An innocuous free kick was awarded and it was an inch perfect cross from Steven Main finding Gavin Wemyss at the back post to head the ball into the net.
Locos went all out to get back level, Brian Neill firing in an effort from long range just wide. Neil Gauld was also denied with only keeper Paul Leask to beat.
Another innocuous free kick was awarded, but at the other end, Gauld providing the cross to pick out a waiting Mike Morrison at the back post, with the defender easily nodding the ball into the net.
Seconds later it could have been a lead, but the post denied Gauld as he played the ball around keeper Paul Leask, only to see his shot agonisingly strike off the woodwork and go out for a goal kick.
The rain took over in the second half, the pitch becoming drenched. The Locos suffered badly, Fraserburgh maintaining the possession, and forcing a succession of corners. Their closest effort came from Allan Hale's kick, which saw Marc Dickson trap the ball in the six-yard box, before last gasp defending from Steven Park prevented him from scoring.
Fraserburgh always looked like posing a threat to the Locos goal, with Gavin Wemyss shooting low, only to see Andy Reid smother the ball.
Minutes later, Reid was unable to perform the same heroic antics as he fumbled a low William West effort, allowing Jamie Ralph to poke the ball into the net to put the visitors in front with just six minutes of normal time left for play.
The five minutes of added time did allow the Locos to have some last chance efforts, however, Richie Singer's near post effort was the only one which proved any real issue for Leask although there were also shouts for handball in the box in those late stages.
Inverurie Locos: Reid, Park, Buchan (Singer 65), Wilson, Merriman, Morrison, Ross, Neill, Broadhurst (Djahansovzi 65), Gauld, Bisset. Subs not used: Davidson, Strachan, Steven Craib.
Fraserburgh: Leask, Ritchie, McBride, Dickson, Ralph, N Main, S Main, West, Wemyss (Conway 87), Johnston, Hale (Morrice 71). Subs not used: Hall, Christie, Dickinson.
It was a very philosophical Dave Cormie who effectively conceded his side will not win the League this season.
He said: "Any idea about us being League Champions this season is gone, we needed the three points, it was a must win game. I've had a good chat with the players in there and something needs to be changed, the buck stops with me I need to have a word with our Committee and see exactly how we step forward.
"I felt we were the better side in the first half, Fraserburgh decided to ensure that we didn't get any room and closed us down. Charlie Duncan is a shrewd coach and Manager. Tommy Wilson never got on the ball, they took the game by the scruff of the neck.
"And as the surface cut up, they were pretty much on the front foot. We defended a number of corners and for us to be at home that is not good enough. It is our third defeat in a row, I can't remember when last I lost three as a boss and don't know if Locos have ever lost three in a row since going into the Highland League.
"You never win games unless you have passion and desire to do it. Fraserburgh had it in abundance. There's going to be conditions like these for the next couple of months, but the bottom line is our desire is not good enough for what I want at the club and what the Locos deserve, so we will address it."
