Forres forward Lee Fraser believes Mechanics still have a good chance of progressing to the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
The Highland League side are in tonight’s draw for the next stage of the competition after earning a replay against Stenhousemuir at Mosset Park on Saturday.
Fraser’s second-half equaliser gave Forres another crack at their Scottish League 1 opponents, this time at Ochilview on Saturday.
He said: “I am happy enough to get a replay. I would have preferred a win. But 2-2 against a team two leagues above us is a good result. Hopefully, we can go there and get a positive result. We are in the draw, so that is something to look forward to as well.
“It was a fair result. We started the game well and went 1-0 up. We sat back a bit after that. If we play like we did in this game then we’ve got a good chance.”
Forres were dreaming of a cup upset when they took the lead in the 26th minute as Simon Allan fired a 20-yard free kick into the net.
Stenny equalised just before the break when Alister Roy’s cross was flicked home by Fraser Kerr. The visitors went in front early in the second half after Stuart Knight’s weak punch allowed Willis Furtardo to hook a shot back over the Forres goalkeeper.
Mechanics got back on level terms when Fraser scored with a header from a free kick by Allan.
The away side nearly snatched a winner late on but Knight tipped a shot from Ciaran Summers on to the bar.
Stenny manager Brown Ferguson said: “I am pleased we are still in the hat for the next round.
“They tested our defence and our resolve. We are now back on our own artificial pitch. We have to try to take advantage of that.”
