East Fife 3 Forfar Athletic 2

Forfar’s long unbeaten run came to an end thanks to a second late sucker punch in as many games.

The Loons bossed the early stages and almost took the lead after just six minutes. Some good interplay between Craig Slater and Roberto Nditi allowed the captain to free Nathan Flanagan. His cross fell to Finn Robson but an East Fife player threw a body in to stop the shot.

It took just five minutes for the same chance to happen again. Slater found Flanagan who found Robson and this time, the on-loan United midfielder made no mistake, rifling into the bottom corner.

The goal seemed to spark the hosts into life and they took over proceedings. Their first chance came when a free kick pinged about the box and was eventually cleared off the line by Andy Munro.

In the 21st minute, East Fife handed the loons a warning. Nditi was pickpocketed and Brogan Walls turned the cutback onto the post.

It was a warning that wasn’t heeded and the hosts were level less than two minutes later. A fast break down the right led to a cutback for Walls and he made no mistake, slotting into the bottom corner.

The Fifers were now well on top in the game and they almost took the lead in the 29th minute. Roberto Nditi made a goal-saving challenge to stop Scott Shepherd before the Athies defence made several goal-line clearances and scrambled away.

Halftime 1-1

The second half started in the same vein as the first, with Finn Robson coming close. He fires inches over with a half volley moments after the restart.

Alan Trouten came close for the Fifers following a free kick and it was the hosts who would claim the lead. A cross from wide flicked off the head of the unfortunate Kyle Hutton, off the post and into the net.

Forfar went back in search of an equaliser and found it in the 77th minute. Nathan Flanagan seemed to beat everybody before finding substitute Stefan McCluskey and he chopped inside and curled it home.

The Loons looked the most likely to go on and snatch the three points with both Kyle Hutton and Ben Armour missing the target after good moves but it was the hosts who found the winner in the 89th minute. Trouten got on the end of a cross and placed a beautiful header into the very top corner despite the best efforts of Marc McCallum in goal.

Another late goal was a sickener when the performance merited more but Ray will have to dust his side down after only his second loss since taking the reins.

It will be no easy task to bounce back as Craig and the boys now face a trip to league leaders Dumbarton.

A huge thanks to all the Loons supporters who made the trip to New Bayview whether on the Supporters Club bus or made their own way. The players, management team and officials really appreciate the effort everyone is making to get behind the team.

Onto next week ……..C’mon the Loons.