Forfar Athletic are once again joint top of League One after a sterling performance and outstanding result against promotion challengers Stranraer.
While the other results also went the way of the Loons, the clearest indication of just how tight and exciting a finish to the season lies ahead is in the four points that separate the top four sides.
Forfar boss Dick Campbell insisted that was a sign of just how big a result it was for his side and how much of an achievement it was in beating Stranraer for the first time in almost exactly a year.
“I’ve said it before and I said it again publicly yesterday, I think Stranraer are the best team in the league after us of course!
“But I’ve said from day one Stranraer have earned the right to be where they are this year.
“I like them, I like their squad and their directors, they have a good set-up, I like the spirit about them. So make no mistake, this is a great result for us today.
“I thought perhaps we were a bit fortunate to be 1-0 up at half-time.
“But what a goal it was. It was good enough to win any game.
“And yet, my goalie didn’t really have a save to make. Not any really, classic saves to keep us in the game.
“But at this stage of the season, with seven games to go, a shut out and three points are invaluable,” he added.
“This time last week we went to Morton and won 2-0, then we slipped up midweek.
“And I thought we looked a bit flat before we started today.
“At this stage of the season it is all about three points and a clean sheet. Forfar are top of the league now joint top with seven games to go.
“It is going to go right down to the wire at the end of the season and I’m absolutely delighted we are right up there.”
Forfar, now joint top with Morton, deserved their win in what was a cracking encounter.
After an entertaining start with the visitors going closest through Sean Winter and Chris Aitken, Forfar took the lead in the 19th minute through an amazing Gavin Swankie finish.
The Forfar skipper chased down a header back to the keeper, beat David Mitchell to the ball and hammered it home from a ridiculous angle out on the byline.
Dale Hilson should have made it two on the half hour when a clever Iain Campbell free-kick left him only the keeper to beat but he hit the ball against the spreadeagled Mitchell.
Danny Denholm had a similar chance in the second half when clear through but again he shot straight against the Stranraer keeper.
Both teams pushed hard for a goal in the latter stages, with Hilson smashing a shot off the post and straight back into Mitchell’s arms then immediately at the other end Grant Gallagher blasted high over the bar from just yards out.
In the end Swankie’s moment of class was enough as Stranraer failed to get a shot on target to test Forfar keeper Rab Douglas.