Dick Campbell’s side could have dispensed a much more effective prescription for their manager than the blunt display that has typified their play-off push.
The bonnet returned to the dugout as Campbell continues his battle against serious illness, but after seeing 10-man Stenhousemuir come from behind to grab a point, Campbell was left scratching his head over why his side let a win slip from their grasp.
Forfar were ahead just after the quarter hour mark, Dale Hilson forcing a parry from ex-Loons keeper Ally Brown which landed to Ryan Dow for the Tannadice teenager to drive home.
Hilson, Dow, Chris Templeman and Greg Ross all had opportunities for the Station Park side, but the hosts could not find the final touch to create more comfortable cushion.
In 51 minutes the visitors were reduced to 10 men with a straight red card for Mike Devlin after he brought Dow to a crashing halt outside the box.
Davie Irons’ side found inspiration in adversity and used the setback as a launch pad before a 77th-minute leveller when Grant Anderson forced his way through a slack home defence to beat sub keeper Neil Duffy.
It was too little, too late for Forfar, although it did look like they were wronged when Bryan Deasley was pulled down in the Stenny area with four minutes left.
Jamie Bishop could have had a spectacular match-winning volley right at the death, but Station Park boss Campbell admitted his men probably got what they deserved.
“The game is never finished at 1-0 and it was waves and waves of attack from us, but we never really worked their goalkeeper,” he said.
“We are doing well enough in general play but are panicking in front of goal.”
In his personal struggle, Campbell is now fighting back after undergoing an operation for the kidney cancer diagnosed several weeks ago.
“I’ve had the operation and there doesn’t seem to be a lot of problems, but we will find out more about it in the next week when I have another appointment,” he said.