Just over a month ago, Forfar Athletic beat Angus rivals Arbroath to open up an 11-point lead at the top of League Two.
A coronation as champions seemed all but certain to follow.
Since then, however, the Loons have failed to win in five outings and Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Edinburgh City saw the gap between Forfar and the Red Lichties cut to just three points.
The worrying slump in form and confidence led to some home truths from manager Gary Bollan but he was at pains to stress everything still lies within Forfar’s own hands.
“That was painful, very painful,” Bollan said.
“I think in the first half we had real control of the game and even in the second half, with the chances we had, we could have put the game to bed.
“But we didn’t do that. And then it was a poor defensive error that cost us their first goal and the second one also. We can’t be letting players come inside to their strong foot like that.
“Otherwise I thought we were in control. Our trialist goalkeeper (Bryn Halliwell, the ex-Dunfermline, St Johnstone and Hamilton stopper) had nothing to do all day apart from tip one over the bar.
“That is the real disappointing factor, that we can’t put games to bed when we are on top and creating chances like we did.”
The belief seemed to desert Forfar as soon as ex-Celtic and Hibs ace Derek Riordan grabbed a goal on his Edinburgh debut to help put a big dent in the home side’s title challenge.
And a superb strike two minutes from time by former Forfar player Lewis Allan secured all the points for the visitors.
There was an early chance for the home side when David Cox got his head to a fine Chris McLaughlin cross but he steered it wide of the post.
Edinburgh’s first chance didn’t come until the half-hour mark when Craig Beattie used all his experience to buy space for a good header which Halliwell just tipped over the bar.
Forfar enjoyed the lion’s share of possession throughout the first half but they struggled to make headway.
However three minutes before the interval Jim Lister powered them in front with a bullet header from six yards out after a pinpoint cross from Tam O’Brien.
Halliwell again proved his worth to Forfar in the 58th minute with another fine save from Beattie, this time a point blank block.
Forfar raced upfield and Danny Denholm really should have doubled their lead when he broke through on the keeper.
Then with just two minutes to go, the capital side stunned Forfar when Allan hit a quality strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.