Easton and Baird on the mark as Loons finally end winless streak

STENHOUSEMUIR 1 FORFAR ATHLETIC 2

Forfar ended a five-game winless streak with their second victory of the season over Stenhousemuir.

Jim Weir’s Loons had not notched a League 1 success since August 25 – ironically when they beat the Warriors 2-0 at Station Park – but finally picked up three points with a well-deserved success at Ochilview.

First-half goals from Dylan Easton and assistant boss John Baird, his seventh of the season, saw the Station Park side move to within one point of fourth-placed Airdrieonians.

“I thought that we played some excellent stuff,” said Weir.

“We kept possession well and looked dangerous up front.

“Although we lost an early goal in the second half we defended really, really well as a team thereafter.

“We had a slow start to the second half and when you have not won for a while players start to get a bit nervous.”

The Warriors started well but fell to pieces during a 15-minute spell in the first half.

Dale Hilson had already struck the bar before Forfar took the lead when Easton created an opening through clever footwork and tucked the ball past Graeme Smith after 22 minutes.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 when Baird fired home after timing his run behind the home defence.

Hilson struck the post early in the second half but the Warriors scored next when Morgyn Neill headed home a Connor Duthie free-kick.

The Loons remained dangerous on the counter attack and came close again in stoppage-time when Murray Mackintosh struck the woodwork.