Forfar Athletic 1-0 The Spartans.

Forfar claimed a deserved three points with a battling performance over the Spartans.

The Loons started with an old-school 4-4-2 and the lineup paid dividends after just two minutes and 15 seconds. Tomas Brindley controlled a switched pass and struck a tight-footed volley off the underside of the crossbar and in.

The full-back goal was the only real moment of quality in the first half, although both sides did manage to carve out one half-chance a piece.

Stuart Morrison glanced a header wide from a corner before a Spartans long throw was scrambled away after some pinball in the box.

The second half was more open and frankly, a more entertaining contest but both sides still struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.

Josh Skelly and Craig Thomson both tested the Spartans keeper early on in the second period.

The game truly opened up in the 78th minute when the visitors were reduced to ten men. Substitute Gavin Morrison could no longer continue after a knock and, with Spartans having used their three substitute opportunities, they were forced to see the game out whilst down a man.

Forfar made use of the advantage and created three great chances to seal the win. First Skelly could only find the keeper when through, then Mykyta’s chip went narrowly wide before Roberto Nditi got caught in two minds and missed his opportunity.

The Tanzanian’s chance turned out to be the last kick of the game as the Loons held out to claim a much-needed three points.

The Loons move up to seventh position and could move up as far as fifth with a win at Dumbarton next week.