Friendlies round-up: Jonny Hayes debut falls flat as Elgin floor shot-shy Aberdeen

Aberdeen gave summer signing Jonny Hayes his starting debut last night at Elgin’s Borough Briggs and it was not an 
occasion the former Inverness Caledonian man will remember with much joy as the Third Division side saw off the Dons 1-0.

The winning goal came after just eight minutes when Daniel Moore stroked home a penalty after a foul by visiting captain Russell Anderson. Scott Vernon and Mitchell Megginson had half-chances to draw the Dons level in the first half however they could not find the net and Elgin grew in confidence.

Aberdeen, who had knocked five past Arbroath at the weekend, looked far more shot-shy in this encounter with only substitute Josh Magennis coming close to a leveller in the second half with an effort that struck the post.

Raith Rovers hit back late to grab a draw with Motherwell with their contest at Stark’s Park ending in a 1-1 draw. The Steelmen had their first opening in 15 minutes when Jamie Murphy wriggled clear, but he could not get any power into his shot.

Motherwell made the breakthrough on 66 minutes when a scramble in the home box gave Murphy an opening and he slotted home.

The equaliser came when Pat Clarke rose highest at the back post with seven minutes to go to head home a Jordan Thomson cross.

Cowdenbeath came from behind to see off Selkirk 3-2 at Yarrow Park with summer signing Jamie Stevenson hitting the winner four minutes from time.

All the goals came in the last 35 minutes with Selkirk’s Jamie Gibson putting his side two up with a quick-fire double before Lewis Coult replied in kind.

In the battle of the Queens at Lesser Hampden Queen of the South took the honours with a 2-0 win over Queen’s Park.

The Doonhamers took the lead after just five minutes when Derek Young threaded a pass through the home defence and Gavin Reilly thumped home from eight yards.

Trialist Scott Milligan tapped in to seal the win with five minutes left after a defensive lapse.

Forfar Athletic’s Charlie King and Gavin Swankie both hit doubles as hosts Preston Athletic were seen off 5-2 with Chris Templeman also on target for the Loons.

Trialist Kieran Brannan scored in the last minute to earn 
Albion Rovers a 3-3 draw with Dumbarton.