GIFT OF GAV THRILLS GAZ
Bollan delight over last-gasp winner
Gary Bollan saluted his never-say-die players as an injury time winner helped Forfar stretch their lead at the top of the table to seven points.
It was a cruel blow for Cowden who were leading twice but are now in relegation trouble after slumping to the bottom.
Gavin Swankie inf licted the damage with the deciding goal in the 92nd minute.
And Forfar boss Bollan said: “I’ve got give my lads credit for showing the character to win the game. They kept pressing right to the end.
“The players know they have to win their battles f irst and foremost and that’s what they
did. We’re now in a good position for the big games coming up against Clyde and Elgin.”
The Fifers had the better of the early exchanges with keeper Grant Adam producing two fine saves, pushing a Brian Ross shot over then turning Kris Renton’s piledriver round the post.
But Adam had no chance with Fraser Mullen’s 30-yard freekick in the 26th minute which curled into the top corner.
Forfar hit back on the half hour when Jamie Bain floated over a cross and Lewis Mi lne rose unchallenged to head home his eighth goal of the season. And two minutes before the interval the away side were in front.
Bain’s long throw caused all sorts of problems in the Cowden defence and Swankie fired home a rocket that keeper David McGurn could only push in to the roof of the net.
Mullen had Cowden back on level terms with another free-kick 10 minutes after the restart that evaded everyone and crept into the far corner.
Cowden regained the lead in the 67th minute. Forfar skipper Stuart Malcolm made a hash of his clearance and Cameron Muirhead played in Renton.
Bain appeared to have got back to rescue the situation but was barged off the ball by Renton who buried the ball past Adam. Forfar were furious a free-kick wasn’t awarded although ref Grant Irvine was having none of it.
But the away side were back on level terms by the 70th minute. Swankie’s back-heel played in Josh Peters who slammed home.
Malcolm hit a post with a header 10 minutes from time but Forfar had the last word in the 92nd minute. Bain’s cross was chested down by David Cox and Swankie drilled a low shot into the corner of the net.
Cowden boss Liam Fox said: “It’s a sore one to lose right at the end but I couldn’t have asked any more of my players.
“We’re all feeling it but I’m not going to press the panic button. It’s my job to pick the players up.”