Forfar Athletic 2 Peterhead 1

The ‘Loons’ brought to an end an eight-game run without a competitive match victory with a deserved 2-1 win over Jim McInally’s side at Station Park yesterday afternoon, a match that marked Stuart Malcolm’s home debut in the Athies managerial chair.

The home side made one change to their starting line-up from Tuesday evening’s draw at Kirkcaldy, Ross Forbes replacing the sidelined Jordan Kirkpatrick and what an important contribution he was to make.

Ryan Conroy had the first real chance of the game in the 19^th minute, Marc McCallum doing well to block his net bound effort.

Two minutes later and the home side were ahead.   Dale Hilson was fouled on the edge of the box and Ross Forbes duly smashed the resultant free-kick into the top right-hand corner of Greg Fleming’s net.

The homesters had a couple of chances to increase that lead prior to the half time whistle, then five minutes into the second period, Mark Docherty just failed to beat the visiting keeper from ten yards out at the end of an excellent move down the left flank.

At the other end, McCallum did well to tip a deflected strike from the visitors over the bar, before the equaliser arrived on the 68-minute mark.

Ross Meechan tripped Rory McAllister inside the area as the Peterhead striker nipped in on his blind side, the ace ‘Blue Toon’ marksman picking himself up to stroke home the resultant spot-kick.

Within ninety seconds however, the ’Loons’ had restored their lead.   Dale Hilson was the architect with a positive run down the left flank, his cross being slid home by the alert Murray MacKintosh from six yards out.

Dale then went close with a thirty-yard free-kick saved by the visiting custodian, before home hearts were in their mouths as Aidan Smith struck the post with a swerving strike from eighteen years out.

There was great relief all round when David Dickinson blew the final whistle, Michael Travis adjudged by the sponsors as their Man of the Match.

Forfar now sit only two points adrift of Peterhead, three behind Clyde whom they meet at Broadwood this coming Saturday, while they have a four-point cushion on Stranraer who are in tenth position.

Forfar lined up – McCallum, Meechan, Bain, Whyte, Travis, Irvine, Tapping, Docherty (Robertson), Hilson, Forbes(Coupe), MacKintosh   Subs not used – Burns, Jackson, McLean, McGuff

Booked – Travis, Tapping