Fraserburgh manager Mark Cowie was left rueing missed chances and decisions that went against his side as it finished all square at Bellslea.
The Broch were the more dominant side but Formartine claimed a point with substitute Conor Gethins cancelling out Owen Cairns’ opener.
Cowie was disappointed referee Graham Beaton didn’t award his side a first-half penalty when Craig McKeown appeared to barge Ross Willox over.
Cowie also believed United’s Graeme Rodger could have been sent off. The midfielder had already been booked when he was penalised for a robust challenge on Bryan Hay just before half-time, but a second yellow card wasn’t shown.
Cowie said: “I think we should have had a penalty first half and I think Graeme should’ve been sent off. For the challenge on Bryan I thought he should have had another booking.
“For the penalty, Ross was going to flick it on and I think it was McKeown that came right through the back. We didn’t get it and after not being sent off Graeme ends up setting up the equaliser.
“I’m not knocking Graeme because he’s not that type of player. He’s an excellent player but I think he knows he shouldn’t have been on to get that assist. We switched off. The ball came out and because we’re dogged and like to press, we all went after it and forgot about Conor at the back post.
“In terms of chances we were well on top, but big decisions didn’t go our way. I’m disappointed with the scoreline, but a point against Formartine isn’t the worst result.”
Formartine’s Kevin Main was the busier goalkeeper.
In the first half he made saves to deny Scott Barbour and Paul Young, with his best stop one at full stretch to push clear Willie West’s drive from 20 yards.
Fraserburgh should have scored in the 26th minute when Main parried Paul Campbell’s shot and Willox lashed over from six yards.
The Broch did forge ahead just after the hour when Ryan Cowie’s cross was missed by Main and cleared only as far as Cairns, who fired home from 12 yards.
Main then blocked Campbell’s effort when the striker raced through, but Formartine equalised 14 minutes from time.
Daniel Park’s free-kick was blocked and Rodger lifted the loose ball to the back post for Gethins to head home.
In the closing stages both sides went for the winner with West and Barbour closest to getting it for the home side.
Following a 4-0 defeat by East Kilbride in the Scottish Cup, Formartine manager Paul Lawson was pleased with his side’s reaction.
He said: “It was pleasing to get back into the game. Fraserburgh had more chances but after the defeat to East Kilbride we got the reaction we were looking for from the players.
“I think we needed to show battling qualities and off the back of last week we needed to make sure we were at it from the first whistle.
“We didn’t create a lot but I still felt we deserved to get something out of the game.
“Kevin Main made a few good saves. It is his job – but he is a top keeper. He’s one of the best signings I’ve made for Formartine. I would say he’s one of the best in the league.”
