Eisappointed Loons boss still optimistic

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Individual errors and sloppy play cost 10-man Forfar dear as they slumped to their third League One defeat on the trot.

Rovers were more clinical in front of goal as they punished the Loons to run out 2-0 winners at Station Park, the home side finishing a man down after sub Matthew Aitken was sent off.

Despite the disappointment, Forfar boss Gary Bollan said he and his players knew there was a lot more to come from the team as the campaign unfolds.

“We had a couple of early chances – good chances – that we didn’t convert and we probably should have,” he said.

“We were sloppy at their goal and in games that are going to be tight a crucial thing is the timings of the goals. That was evident today. They got a bad goal from our point of view and we lost that wee foothold we had in the game as we probably should have been two up then.

“That was a massive disappointment. But we changed things about, put our substitutes on and tried to go to plan B or plan C.

“But there is optimism there. I asked the question in there if they think we are capable of getting better – the answer was yes.”

Forfar should have taken the lead in the 12th minute. Dylan Easton was through on goal but screwed his shot wide.

Alan Trouten also should have done better for the visitors when he smashed a volley over the bar.

Jim Lister forced a point-blank stop from Rovers’ keeper Graham Bowman it was Rovers who took the lead in the 33rd minute after Forfar skipper Simon Mensing gave the ball away and Trouten scored from 12 yards.

Forfar had strong claims for a penalty turned down in the 77th minute when Aitken was floored in the box but play was waved on by referee Greg Aitken.

The home side’s cause wasn’t helped six minutes from time when Aitken was sent off for a second booking after an earlier caution for simulation. And less than a minute later Connor Shields netted Rovers’ second.