Pressure pays off with vital win for Loons

Forfar Athletic’s home win over Peterhead was more vital than ever after relegation rivals Brechin City and Cowdenbeath both recorded victories.

“It was a good victory today against a good side,” said manager Gary Bollan.

“Today in stages we played to a good level and managed to get the win which, when you see the other results, was massive.”

Forfar exerted the early pressure but the best chance fell to Peterhead after 15 minutes. Leighton McIntosh pounced on a slack throw-in and powered into the Forfar box, but Thomas O’Brien rescued with a last-ditch tackle.

Still Forfar exerted most of the pressure and O’Brien was denied a Forfar goal after Nathan Blockely hacked his half-volley off the line in the 41st minute.

Omar Kader then missed an absolute sitter when he sidefooted into the side netting from two yards out after Andy Ryan presented him with an open goal.

Two minutes after the interval, Forfar found a way ahead.

A Kader cross from the right was flicked goalwards by Steven Craig, forcing keeper Graeme Smith to block on the line.

The ball squirmed loose and Danny Denholm tapped home from two yards.

Two minutes later Peterhead were inches from levelling when Jamie Stevenson crashed a 25-yard free-kick off the Forfar bar, keeper Darren Hill’s fingertips getting a vital touch.

Instead, Forfar extended their lead in the 53rd minute with another simple tap-in.

Kader’s cross goal pass was perfect for Steven Craig, who just had to stroke the ball home from almost on the goal line.

Picture: SNS. Danny Denholm scored the first goal.