Forfar Athletic lost ground at the top of League Two to Angus rivals Arbroath – but Loons boss Gary Bollan argued it wasn’t the worst result in the world.
The hard-earned point came in a 1-1 draw against Stirling Albion and Bollan insisted Dave Mackay’s team will make it difficult for everyone they come up against.
“Stirling are the most improved team in the league. It was chalk and cheese from the last time we were down there and won three-nil. It was a very hard game today,” he said.
“Dave Mackay has put together a good side with some good signings and they will be very hard to beat, as was proved today.
“Our problem today was we didn’t start well enough and we didn’t play to our strengths.
“We didn’t play particularly poorly– the commitment and work ethic was there, I can’t fault them for that.
“It was just one of these days wen we did not play to our capabilities.
“It is a home draw but it is not the end of the world. We are disappointed but that shows how far we have come.”
Forfar had all the early pressure and forced corner after corner as they pushed Stirling back. But they could not find a breakthrough and Albion punished them in the 20th minute as they took the lead.
Willie Robertson fired in a low shot that cannoned back off the near post and Darren Smith reacted like lightning to slam home the rebound first-time.
It could have been worse for the home side in the 27th minute when Tam O’Brien was beaten by the pace of Dylan Bikey and tripped him in the box.
Angus Beith took the spot-kick but Grant Adam dived full length to save.
Forfar took full advantage of that let-off to level in the 36th minute. Josh Peters pounced on a Jim Lister flick-on and would have earned a penalty as he was fouled had the ball not broken to David Cox who thumped it home from the edge of the box.
A brilliant point-blank stop by Adam at the start of the second half prevented Beith restoring Albion’s lead, then from the corner an almighty scramble on the Forfar goal line kept the scores level.
The same post Albion hit in the first half denied Forfar a goal in the 72nd minute when Lewis Milne smashed a shot off it.
