Peterhead 1 Forfar Athletic 1

The ‘Loons’ headed down the A90 from the Balmoor Stadium last night with a hard-won point, but nevertheless reflecting on how it could have been three after a flurry of first-half chances did not bear ‘fruit.’

George Stanger and Scott Robertson returned to the starting line-up and it took until the 20^th minute in ideal conditions for the first opportunity of the game to arise.

It came Forfar’s way, Robbie Leitch running on to a Jordan Kirkpatrick defence-splitting ball only to see home custodian Greg Fleming palm the final strike wide of the post.

Fleming was again the home hero twenty minutes later when he blocked a close-range effort from BJ Coll, following a break from midfield by Bobby Barr.

The visitors were left to rue those missed opportunities four minutes into the second period when the ‘Blue Toon’ outfit took the lead.

Two of Jim McInally’s January signings were involved, Alan Cook’s goal-bound effort being blocked, Steven Boyd rifling home the rebound through a sea of bodies.

Marc McCallum then produced a great save to thwart Boyd once again as Stuart Malcolm introduced Callum Tapping, Jamie Bain and newcomer Mark McKenzie to the fray.

The move had a positive effect with what no doubt the smattering of travelling fans thought was a deserved equaliser with eight minutes remaining.

BJ Coll sent in a high deceptive cross from the left, Steven Doris opening his Athies scoring account with a looping header which eluded Fleming thankfully on this occasion.

There was still time for home danger man Boyd to rattle the crossbar before the final whistle.

With Clyde losing at Dumbarton, Forfar moved to within a point of the ‘Bully Wee’ with Peterhead remaining two points clear of the ‘Loons.’

East Fife are the next opponents for Stuart Malcolm’s troops, Station Park the venue on Saturday first.

Forfar’s line up at Balmoor was;- McCallum, Meechan, Coll, Whyte, Stanger(Bain), Irvine, Leitch(McKenzie), Robertson(Tapping), Doris, Kirkpatrick, Barr

Subs not used – MacKintosh, Coupe, Aitken, McGuff

Referee – Steven Reid

Yellow Cards – Irvine, Leitch, Robertson

Crowd 443