Brechin boss Jim Weir ripped into his side after Forfar came from behind to win this Station Park derby clash with two goals in the last five minutes.
Forfar knocked away a corner which came out to the feet of Jordan Kirkpatrick, whose driven cross from the edge of the box was headed home by Ewan Moyes from close range. The home side went in search of the equaliser and struck the woodwork in 84 minutes.
Iain Campbell swung a corner in from the right and Templeman got up well at the near post but his header crashed back off the bar. The striker was by now causing the visitors all sorts of problems as Forfar forced a series of corners, and a minute later the same combination paid off when Templeman sent a header from Campbell’s corner beyond Nelson.
Both teams went in search of a winner and there was injury-time drama at both ends. David McKenna could have won the game but his header was saved by Gallacher before Forfar took all three points with seconds to spare. Templeman cut the ball across the six-yard box for Barry Sellars to fire towards goal. Nelson managed to scramble it away but only as far as Ross Campbell, who bundled the ball over the line.
Attendance-604
Forfar-Gallacher; Ross, Iain Campbell, McCulloch, Bolochoweckyj, Bishop, Ross Campbell, Fotheringham (Sellars 78), Templeman (Gibson 90), Hilson, Mowatt (Deasley 65). Subs not used; Brady, Duffy (GK).
Brechin-Nelson; McLean, Cook, McLauchlan, Moyes, Janczyk (McKenna 78), Molloy, Fusco, |McAllister (McKay 65), Megginson, Byers (Kirkpatrick 59). Subs not used; White, Scott (GK).
Referee-Neill Watters
Weir described the defeat as the worst result since he took charge and warned he’ll ring the changes for Saturday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against St Johnstone. Watching Saints manager Derek McInnes had already left Station Park by the time Brechin collapsed and Weir didn’t hold back when asked what happened at the death.
“We just can’t defend set plays,” he said. “To lose the game in the manner we did is the worst result since we came here. We were looking round blaming each other and not taking responsibility.
“We were looking for a lift to go into the big game on Saturday but certain areas of the park just now are really letting us down and I’ve let the players know it and I’m not going to keep standing for it.
“I’ll change whatever I need to change I’m not watching us losing games like that. That’s three games where we’ve been terrible Dumbarton, Ayr United and tonight.”
Forfar boss Dick Campbell said all the credit should go to his battling side. “We were 1-0 down and I think we thoroughly deserved it,” he said. “I don’t think there was much between the teams until the last 15 minutes and we must have had nine corners on the trot.
“When you are playing in local derbies it’s all about the result. Nobody could deny us scoring in the 93rd minute and all credit to the boys for that.”
Chances were few and far between in a dismal first half between the promotion hopefuls. Forfar midfielder Martyn Fotheringham’s 25-yard free-kick on 13 minutes was the first test for either goalkeeper and Craig Nelson got down well to safely gather the low drive.
Home keeper Scott Gallacher was called into action on 18 minutes and caught Kevin Byers’ long-range effort before Craig Molloy’s volley flashed wide from 18 yards moments later. Brechin should have taken the lead on 23 minutes when Rory McAllister was played through but the striker could only fire straight at Gallacher from close range.
Forfar started the second half brightly and almost took the lead on 47 minutes. The ball got caught up in Chris Templeman’s feet after he burst into the box, but it broke kindly for Fotheringham, whose stinging drive was pushed away well by Nelson.
Templeman was involved again on 56 minutes but pulled his shot wide of Nelson’s right hand post from the edge of the box after good work. Brechin took the lead on 64 minutes following a spell of pressure.
Continued…