Forfar Athletic manager Gary Bollan reckons the display his side put in to dump Championship Raith Rovers out of the Irn-Bru Cup will help push his league leaders even further in the promotion push this year.
Already out on their own at the top and unbeaten in League Two, the Loons put in a magnificent performance to deservedly beat a side two divisions higher.
And Bollan was quick to give his players the praise they deserve.
“Raith Rovers are a Championship side. You could see by them going to Tannadice last week and coming back with two goals to get the draw that they are good,” he said.
“So my lads are due a great bit of credit today after going behind by showing they have got a bit about them as well, a bit of togetherness.
“That is going to help us get a long way through the season.”
Rovers’ boss Gary Locke was hugely disappointed his side had not lived up to the standards they have set this season.
“We are not going to make any excuses. We had a few injuries and you can see the importance of Jason Thomson in the team as he is a good organiser. But we weren’t as solid defensively. Today we took too long to move the ball.
“Credit to Forfar, they worked hard and made it difficult for us.”
It was truly a great cup tie and credit rightly goes to both sides for their efforts.
Forfar carved out an early chance through David Cox, who twisted and wriggled his way into the Rovers’ box. His powerful shot found the side netting however.
Raith’s Mark Stewart saw his shot well blocked by Forfar keeper Grant Adam, but the Kirkcaldy frontman was on target shortly afterwards as Rovers opened their account in the 18th minute.
Rudi Skacel sent over a low centre from the left and Stewart stole in ahead of keeper and defender to stab the ball home from six yards.
Forfar levelled on the half-hour mark after a stunning right-foot drive from Lewis Milne, who thundered a shot from 25 yards past the despairing dive of Connor Brennan in the Raith goal.
Six minutes later, the home side went ahead. Tam O’Brien hit a low free-kick against the foot of the defensive wall and the ball squirmed through to Josh Peters who calmly slotted home from 12 yards as the Rovers’ defence hesitated.
Forfar extended their lead in the 56th minute with a well crafted goal. Gavin Swankie found Marc Scott on the edge of the box and he lifted a pass across the area to Peters who first timed it for his second of the game and eighth of the season.
Raith reduced the deficit in the 61st minute when Declan McManus took advantage of hesitation at a corner to head home from point blank range.
Deep into stoppage-time Raith almost levelled when Callachan’s shot was brilliantly parried by Adam only for Lewis Vaughan to sky the rebound high and wide.