Malcolm left disappointed by ‘flat’ Loons

FORFAR 1 STRANRAER 1

Forfar manager Stuart Malcolm offered no excuses for his side’s flat performance against bottom-of-the-league Stranraer.

In the end the point from the 1-1 draw did take the Loons closer to the three sides immediately above them in their fight to avoid the automatic drop or the relegation play-off spot, but Malcolm was all too aware Forfar had passed up a chance to close the gap further.

“I am disappointed we did not capitalise on the first half. I thought it was a pretty poor game all round,” said Malcolm.

“We got ourselves in front from a great delivery and a good finish.

“We had two or three flurries and it looked like we were going to ignite. But it never happened.

“I think when (Michael) Travis was injured, it was probably the turning point in the game. And in the second half they came out and had a go at us.

“I thought we were flat and I am just really disappointed we did not capitalise on the first half, even though I didn’t even think we were great then.

“It was a really underwhelming performance. We have all played in rain and cold and snow before, so I’m not putting it down to that. We have got to be much better than that.

“The boys give us everything in training every week and the guys have been great. But that was just a real flat performance today.

“We fought and competed but we didn’t show enough quality on the ball.

“The goal is still the same, to get out of ninth. We have pulled a point back and that is positive. But a lot of the boys will look at themselves and say we have to play a bit better.”

A wild day weather-wise at Station Park led to a cagey opening few minutes but it was Forfar who carved out the first opportunity.

A free-kick on the edge of the Stranraer box from Callum Tapping flicked off the top of the wall and past the post for a corner.

Another set-piece would provide the opener for Forfar.

Jordan Kirkpatrick whipped in a cross from the right for Darren Whyte who flicked a volley into the corner past Max Currie in the Stranraer goal.

Forfar were the brighter of the sides and almost doubled their advantage in the 30th minute. Kirkpatrick drove through the Stranraer midfield and pinged a shot narrowly over Currie’s bar.

A lengthy stoppage due to a nasty knee injury to Michael Travis disrupted the game and the half fizzled out.

The second half was just as flat as the end of the first, although Stranraer looked more likely to score.

And the equaliser came after just 10 minutes when a chipped ball forward into the Forfar box from Jamie Hamill was glanced past the helpless home keeper by Ryan Stevenson.

The second half was an extremely nervy affair with Stranraer passing up a number of chances but there were no more goals.

Darren Whyte: Gave Forfar the lead.