If you’ve only scored twice all season, as Forfar’s Martyn Fotheringham had done before visiting Ochilview on Saturday, what better moment to double that tally than in the middle of a promotion-threatening crisis?
Timing was everything for Dick Campbell’s side as home striker Colin McMenamin missed a gilt-edged chance to add to his 47th-minute opening goal, and Stenny’s Anthony Marenghi then got himself needlessly sent off for a ludicrously-soft second booking with Forfar still 1-0 down.
Marenghi’s departure finally freed up space for the visitors to exploit, and after Fotheringham slammed home Dale Hilson’s cross with 19 minutes left, the same player rounded off a fine one-touch passing move with a low left-foot drive to lift Forfar into second place following a fourth straight win.
“I just made a run and didn’t expect to get the pass,” Fotheringham said.
“It was a surprise, but it was good to see the shot go in.
“It doesn’t matter who gets the limelight, as long as the team gets the right results.”
Gavin Swankie made it 3-1 deep into stoppage time to maintain a perfect 100% record against the Warriors this season.
Forfar are now a single point behind Stranraer but three clear of Morton as they continue to chase automatic promotion to the Championship.
“At the start of the season, the gaffer gives us various targets, but now we’re taking it one game at a time and looking after number one instead of worryingabout other teams and other results,” Fotheringham said.
“We’ve got another tough game against Airdrie next week, but there’s no point playing in the league if you’re not trying to win it.”
Forfar manager Campbell said: “Stenhousemuir are fighting for their lives and they’re a handful for anybody, but we were worthy winners.
“We just moved into another gear after the sending-off, passed the ball well and scored three good goals. We’ve now been in the top two for 29 weeks out of 31.”
Brown McMaster became Stenny’s permanent boss in midweek and saw his side slip into a relegation play-off spot after the loss to Forfar.
He said: “The game was turned by the sending-off.”