Forfar’s topsy-turvy season continued as they slumped to a disappointing defeat against Stranraer their first loss against them at Station Park for eight years.
And that provoked a furious reaction from manager Dick Campbell, who hit out at the attitude of some of his players.
Campbell promised he would take action against those he believes are letting themselves and the team down by turning in performances at total odds with those that have seen Forfar scale the heights this season.
“That is not the side that took Dundee to extra-time twice, that beat Rangers in the cup, that went very close to beating them in the league, that beat Dunfermline comprehensively last week.
“We were totally and utterly played off the park. Stranraer deserved everything today. We were a very, very poor side today.
“I have a real problem but there is only one person who will sort it out and that is me. A manager’s greatest power is the power of selection.
“I cannot understand the attitude of some players today. Some of them have been reading their own press and starting to believe it.
“But I have no complaints at all about today. I don’t want to take anything away from Stranraer, they deserved their win and their goals were sensational.
“We did not play well enough today or put enough in. It was the attitude of Stranraer and the attitude of our players that was the difference.”
Forfar rarely got into gear against an impressive Stranraer. Yet the home side kept up their recent record of starting strongly and went ahead after just three minutes.
Gavin Swankie hit the bye-line and crossed for Chris Templeman to rise unmarked six yards out and head powerfully over the line.
Forfar should have stretched their lead but found Stranraer keeper David Mitchell in inspired form, making a point-blank stop from Swankie. Perhaps inevitably, having had the possession and making no headway, Forfar conceded an equaliser in the 17th minute when Jamie Longworth reacted first to pounce on a parry from keeper Darren Hill.
Forfar were then denied by a fantastic reaction stop from Mitchell, this time denying Templeman.
And in the 35th minute the visitors were rewarded when they went ahead through a brilliant 25-yard pile-driver from Chris Aitken that left Hill flat-footed.
Substitute Sean Winter had a flashing chance for Stranraer not long into the second half that he slid just past the foot of the post, then Iain Campbell headed an inswinging corner off the goal-line.
Forfar piled on the pressure as the half ran out but could not find a way past the resolute visiting defence.