Forfar Athletic’s home victory over Peterhead was more vital than ever after relegation rivals Brechin City and Cowdenbeath both recorded victories.
Manager Gary Bollan agreed just how important the full points were after a well-deserved win.
“It was a good victory today against a good side. It doesn’t matter the team they put out there today, they are still a very strong side so we are delighted to get the victory.”
Bollan agreed there had been a few missed chances from Forfar in the first half and revealed he had told his side to just keep doing more of the same.
“If you keep making chances, you are going to stick some of them away. We did that in the early part of the second half, which was pleasing.
“It was a clean sheet today, which was a boost as well, and we scored two really good goals. Other weeks we might not have been so quick to react at the goals so that was real pleasing, too.
“It will be a tough one next week, going to the champions, fully deserved to be that.
“They have won the league because they are the best side in the league. We are under no illusions how difficult it will be.
“We are trying to play good football, but at this stage it is about getting three points. I would rather have three points than put on a great performance and get no points.
“Today in stages we played to a good level and managed to get the win which, when you see the other results, was massive.”
Forfar exerted the early pressure but the best chance fell to Peterhead after 15 minutes. Leighton McIntosh pounced on a slack throw-in and powered into the Forfar box, but Thomas O’Brien rescued with a last-ditch tackle.
Still Forfar exerted pressure and O’Brien was denied a Forfar goal after Nathan Blockely hacked his goal half volley off the line in the 41st minute.
Omar Kader then missed an absolute sitter when he side-footed into the side netting from two yards out after Andy Ryan presented him with an open goal.
Two minutes after the interval Forfar found a way ahead. A Kader cross from the right was flicked goalwards by Steven Craig, forcing keeper Graeme Smith to block on the line. The ball squirmed loose and Danny Denholm tapped home from two yards.
Two minutes later Peterhead were inches from levelling when Jamie Stevenson crashed a 25-yard free-kick off the Forfar bar, keeper Darren Hill’s fingertips getting a vital touch.
Instead, Forfar extended their lead in the 53rd minute with another simple tap-in. Kader’s cross goal pass was perfect for Steven Craig to stroke the ball home from almost on the goal line.