Forfar Athletic finished the regular season as runners-up but all that will count for nothing unless the Loons ensure play-off success, starting with the semi-finals against East Stirling.
A point from a red-blooded draw against Queen’s Park who were left celebrating themselves after the draw secured them the fourth play-off position was enough to ensure Forfar will enjoy second-leg home advantage against Shire in the semis.
Manager Dick Campbell is now fully focused on the fresh challenge that lies ahead, starting with training for his side tonight in preparation for the vital double-header.
He will be hoping that the Loons can convert the barrel-load of chances they are creating into goals.
“All credit to Queen’s Park, they are full of hard work and effort,” he said. “But I counted nine clear chances for us to score and we did not take any of them.
“We should have had that game wrapped up long before, but that is football for you.”
Queen’s arguably deserved their point for their dogged resistance to Forfar, particularly in the first half when they were under the cosh.
Ross Campbell hit the post for the Angus side and was denied on several occasions by some fine stops from Spiders’ keeper Mark McGeown.
However, having survived a scare of their own, when Paul Gallagher headed against the crossbar and post, Forfar finally made the breakthrough in the 59th minute when Jamie Bishop headed home a Martin Fotheringham corner.
Queen’s responded well and they were back on level terms in the 72nd minute, Mick Daly finishing from close range after a lovely, neat interchange of passes.
The drama wasn’t over as the game exploded minutes later.
Tony Quinn was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a shocking tackle but Forfar’s Iain Campbell was not so fortunate as he saw red for the retaliation that followed as a melee among both sets of players boiled over.
Campbell will be suspended for the first leg of the play-off. Dick Campbell had his own take on the furious exchange.
“I thought their guy was very lucky. It was a ridiculous challenge. However, I think Iain Campbell was very silly to get involved,” he said.
Of the bigger picture, Campbell added, “Our objective from the start was to get into the play-off positions and we achieved that.
“In the last couple of weeks it was to finish second and we have achieved that too now, so I have got to be happy. I have managed to rest a few players so that will be good for us too.
“I suppose I am disappointed in the result but, as I said, all credit to Queen’s Park and I am really looking forward to this new challenge now.”