Forfar boss Gary Bollan is still in a positive mood despite seeing his side miss an opportunity to pull clear of the League One relegation play-offs at Ochilview on Saturday.
Bollan still thinks conquerors Stenny are in potential trouble, saying: “Its a mini-league between Cowdenbeath, Brechin, Stenny and ourselves but we have enough games to pull ourselves out of it.”
With games running out Forfar had the chance to build on last week’s win over Ayr as they travelled to meet an out-of-form Stenhousemuir.
The Loons had the better of the early stages and Andy Ryan in particular looked lively, but it was the home side that took the lead in the 11th minute when Mark Gilhaney capitalised on defensive errors to slot home.
The teams tended to cancel each other out as the game progressed but Forfar equalised in the 80th minute when Ryan made the most of a Stenny mistake and picked out Steven Craig to fire Forfar level.
At that stage Bollan was optimistic. He said: “When we scored I said to Stuart Balmer that I fancied us to go on and win it.”
The momentum had changed and Forfar had a couple of opportunities to edge ahead with the best falling to Ryan.
Bollan added: “I can’t criticise the boy for missing. He took a touch to go round the keeper and he has made a great block.
“We went for the goal but Stenhousemuir caught us with practically the last kick of the ball”.
The winner actually came in the 87th minute with Colin McMenamin heading home a Ciaran Summers cross.
The result leaves Forfar in second bottom place, ahead of Brechin on goal difference.
Cowdenbeath’s win against Peterhead moved them off the bottom, two ahead of their rivals from Angus with Stenny a further four points in front.