Forfar ran out comfortable winners over East Fife at New Bayview, the 3-1 scoreline a pretty fair reflection of the difference between the two sides.
There was little to choose between the teams in an even first half and the visitors could count themselves fortunate to go in ahead at the break, a defensive error from Dave Muir allowing Dale Hilson to set up Ross Campbell for a first-time finish just before the interval whistle.
When Bobby Linn levelled for the Fifers six minutes after the break, brilliantly controlling Kurtis Byrne’s through ball before slotting home, it was anyone’s guess how it would finish.
But Dick Campbell’s men gradually took control and a close-range finish from sub Martin Fotheringham on the hour mark and a simple header from Campbell nine minutes later made sure the points headed north.
The Forfar manager was naturally delighted and praised his side for the spirit they showed after East Fife equalised.
“We deserved to win. Our keeper never had a save to make,” he said. “It was tight in the first half and they scored a great goal to level but the players took the bull by the horns and went for the win and we were comfortable winners in the end.
“We created numerous chances and passed the ball really well, especially in the last 30 minutes, and it was great to see Ross Campbell getting among the goals again.”
East Fife assistant manager Jason Dair admitted that there’s a lot of hard work to be done to turn the season around.
Dair said, “We created a few chances and I don’t think we deserved to be down at half-time. We came out fighting in the second half, got a great goal and were looking alright, but then as has happened so often this season, we lost a couple of silly goals.
“There’s a lack of confidence in the team just now and the only way to get round that is by sheer hard work. There’s no quick fix. Just hard work is needed.”