Rude awakening a sickener for Irvine

Gary Irvine slumped to defeat in his first game as interim Forfar boss, leaving the Loons rock bottom of League One.

The former Dundee fullback admitted it had been a difficult and testing few days since he and the club were rocked by Stuart Malcolm’s shock resignation last Thursday and he spoke of the challenges of trying to adjust to his new role in just 48 hours.

“It’s been a quick turnaround, a whirlwind couple of days for me,” Irvine reflected after the home loss to East Fife.

“Obviously we come off the back of a really disappointing result at Clyde and then the manager makes his announcement and I’ve had to adapt.

“I wasn’t expecting it and the challenge is I’ve gone from a team-mate to picking my team-mates, so it is difficult.

“It’s a sore one to take for us. The lads put everything in to the game and put it all on the line and we’ve come away with nothing.

“There are positives to take but it is frustrating as we conceded cheap goals and didn’t get the luck, with the penalty and Jordan Allan hitting the post, but we need to take chances and win games.”

The home side looked hungry as they began life after Malcolm’s resignation but it was the visitors who came closest to opening the scoring.

Former Forfar winger Danny Denholm did brilliantly to fire across the box to Kevin Smith but the striker somehow could only manage to hit the bar from no more than three yards.

The Fifers did have the lead just eight minutes later, however. Ryan Wallace controlled a clearing header with his chest and lashed a ferocious volley low into the corner.

The Loons felt aggrieved five minutes before the interval when Grant Anderson nicked the ball away from Brett Long and was felled. Referee Duncan Williams gave the free-kick the opposite way, however, enraging the home dugout in the process.

Williams would again be in the spotlight at halftime. A second winter had descended upon Station Park and there was some doubt as to whether heavy snowfall would stop play. After a pitch inspection and a lengthy delay, it was once again game on.

The decision to continue was one the Loons were rejoicing seven minutes into the second half. Allan chased down a long ball that looked to be headed for keeper Long. But he was caught out by the conditions and the former Wolves man nipped in to score.

Forfar weren’t level for long though as goalscorer Wallace delivered a freekick for Smith who converted from close range.

Things got worse for the Loons when BJ Coll saw red for two bookable offences in the 78th minute.

The loss means Forfar remain cut adrift at the bottom of the League one table while Darren Young’s side strengthened their play-off hopes.

Irvine remained tight lipped about his future when asked if he would pursue the job permanently.

“It’s not something I’ve thought about,” he said. “I just want to do what’s best for the club and what’s best for my team-mates by picking the best team I can and hopefully getting the results to keep us up.”