Loons boss denies his reaction sparked second half red cards

Forfar Athletic got back to winning ways, taking all three points against Albion Rovers after an exciting and badtempered Station Park clash.

Rovers finished with just nine men following a mass brawl involving almost every player as well as the management teams, with the visitors putting the blame on Forfar boss Jim Weir for the dismissal of their two players.

But Weir denied his reaction to a bad tackle sparked the second half chaos.

“Obviously the referee had a big decision to make in the game and I don’t think they were too happy with me,” he said.

“But I claimed rightly for a free-kick and what the referee and linesman decide after that is nothing to do with me

“It is up to the players to keep their conduct and not lose their discipline.

“I certainly did not claim for a red card and I did not claim for a yellow card.”

Forfar’s early penalty conversion by Mark Millar after Eddie Malone was brought down set then on the road to victory.

But Rovers struck back 10 minutes later, when Gary Fisher powered home a first-time shot into Marc McCallum’s net.

The home side regained the lead in the 22nd minute when Rovers keeper Daniel Potts, came charging out of his goal to collect a looping cross. He misjudged it and lost out to David Cox and his header broke for Michael Travis to sweep the ball home into the empty net.

Forfar doubled their advantage in the 58th minute when Cox’s looping corner was met by Andy Munro.

Rovers reduced the deficit just a minute later when Jason Marr converted from close range following a corner.

Almost from the restart chaos ensued as Rovers sub Mikey Hopkins lunged in on Forfar defender Darren Whyte and was shown his marching orders.

Tempers flared and every player became involved in a mass brawl with even the Forfar technical staff involved.

The result was a straight red for Albion’s Alan Trouten and a booking for goal scorer Munro

Forfar made use of the extra men and sealed the points in the 88th minute. Connor Duthie whipped in a ball from the left and captain Travis volleyed home for his second of the game.

Michael Travis scored twice.