Forfar Athletic’s season is far from over after a brilliant victory over promotion play-off rivals Ayr United.
What a difference a week makes. The Loons looked down and out of the chase for a play-off spot after a disappointing derby dumping at the hands of Arbroath.
But they bounced back in style with one of their best performances of the season to sweep Ayr aside and set up a mouth-watering and nerve wracking final day of the campaign.
A win for Forfar, coupled with defeat for Ayr and anything less than a win for Stenhousemuir, will see the Loons into the play-offs.
“From day one, we said as long as we are going to Stranraer on the last day if the season with something to play for, we have done our job,” Forfar boss Dick Campbell said.
“It was always going to be like that with Rangers and Dunfermline in the league. Now we have it all to play for next week. I thought we were magnificent today.”
Forfar had a sensational start, finding the net after just 52 seconds with a wonderfully worked goal from Jamie McCluskey.
Ross Campbell hit the side netting and Hilson should have made it two when clear through only for Hutton to make a great block.
Hilson made amends in the 24th minute with a brilliantly taken goal. He ghosted past a defender and slammed a low 25-yard shot into the bottom corner.
Michael Moffat had two good chances for the visitors but Forfar extended their lead six minutes into the second half through Omar Kader who beat a square defence and curled in a neat finish.
Ayr were thrown some hope with a controversial penalty in the 60th minute, moments after Forfar had an identical claim turned down.
Michael Donald tumbled in the Forfar box under what seemed a well timed tackle from Darren Dods and Moffat scored from the spot.
Hilson restored the three-goal advantage in the 72nd minute when he again burst clear through a static defence and rounded the keeper before clipping the ball home.
Brian Gilmour slammed home a stoppage-time consolation goal for Ayr.