East Fife 1 Forfar Athletic 1

The Loons travelled to Bayview Stadium on Saturday looking to build on last week's away win at Stranraer and for the first time this season Ray McKinnon could field the same starting lineup 2 weeks in a row.

Forfar Athletic attacked straight from the kickoff and created two chances in the opening five minutes. Ryan Patterson had a shot saved on 3 minutes then good work down the right from Nditi and Robson saw the ball squared across goal but just agonisingly out of reach of Rory McLeod.

Unfortunately for the Loons, they found themselves a goal behind 13 minutes into the match against the run of play. The home side reacted quickest to some loose play in midfield and Austin played in Trouten who managed to steer his half-volley beyond an advancing McCallum into the net from outside the box.

Forfar tried to break down the East Fife defence but couldn’t create a clear-cut chance to level the score. Ryan Paterson came close from a free kick which Josh Skelly had won on the edge of the box. Ryan's free-kick just went wide of the target. Moments later another freekick in a better position from Josh Skelly was blocked by the Fifers defence, so frustrating for the large travelling Loons support watching on.

The game was becoming scrappy with both teams being penalised by the referee for fouls with challenges flying in however some decisions from the man in the middle were inconsistent and Mark Whatley found himself in the book for dissent as frustrations grew. Callum Moore had a half chance from outside the box but his left-footed shot was just wide of the goal. The Loons had to settle for being a goal down at halftime but it was a chance to regroup and come out second half stronger.

Halftime East Fife 1- 0 Forfar Athletic.

The second half restarted similar to the first with the Athies pressing from the off, Mark Whatley had his shot blocked from the centre of the home side penalty box with the ricochet landing kindly at Easton’s feet for him to clear the danger. Clearly, Ray McKinnon’s halftime talk was having an impact as the midfield of Robson, Paterson, Whatley and Moore were controlling the game more and the Loons were pushing hard for the equaliser.

Seb Ross was introduced for Whatley on 64 minutes and the wee nippy wide player started stretching the Fifers creating more space for Robson and Moore to start picking out passes. Rory McLeod who had worked tirelessly all afternoon was replaced by Darren Watson on 74 minutes. Moments later Moore found himself in a bit of space down the left but his shot missed to the right as he tried to curve it past the home keeper. The substitutions and fresh legs were giving the home team problems as the visitors could sense their opportunity was coming. Josh Skelly forced Fleming in the East Fife goal to save to his bottom right only 2 minutes later as the Loons were relentless in applying pressure on the creaking home defence.

The visitors eventually scored from a Paterson corner into the box which picked out Stuart Morrison, his goal-bound header may have deflected off Matty Allan’s head but Stuart was credited with the goal and the Loons fans certainly didn’t care as it levelled the score with 10 minutes to go of the ninety.

This was no more than the Loons deserved as they were playing well and were now pushing for the winner which forced the home management team into a triple substitution to slow the game down.

With 88 minutes on the clock, Darren Watson had the final clear chance of the 90 to grab the winner however his right-footed shot from the centre of the goal agonisingly missed to the top right of the goal for what would have been a dramatic winner. It wasn’t to be and Loons had to settle for a draw.

Full-time East Fife 1 -1 Forfar Athletic

Huge thanks to the large travelling support who made their way to Bayview on Saturday. This Saturday sees a return to Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park against league leaders Peterhead and as usual full match preview will be on our social media and website in due course.