Forfar Athletic 0 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic 1

Forfar slumped to a second straight defeat to strugglers Bonnyrigg Rose at Station Park.

The Loons were boosted by the return of Adam Hutchinson at the centre of defence before kick off and it was he who was presented with the first opportunity of the match. Nathan Flanagan’s free kick went all the way through to the back post but the on-loan United man scuffed his shot and it was cleared off the line.

Bonnyrigg played their way into the game and almost took the lead in the 18th minute. Some lovely interplay on the edge of the box allowed a shot but it was well saved by Marc McCallum in goal.

McCallum was again involved in the 27th minute. He attempted to clean up a loose ball but big striker Kieran McGachie beat him to it and made the most of what little contact there was to buy his team a penalty.

Neil Martyniuk stepped up and fired into the top corner to give his side the lead.

The Loons had the chance to equalise before half time from a quick counter attack but Craig Thomson’s pass forced Nathan Flanagan too wide and his cross was claimed by Patrick Martin.

Halftime 0-1

Despite a triple change of Moore, Watson and McCluskey making a difference to the Loons attacking play it was the visitors who came closest to scoring the second goal when McGachie’s cross somehow deflected wide of the post from two yards.

Mark Docherty came closest to an equaliser for the Loons, forcing a good save from Martin’s feet in the Rose goal.

Ben Armour spurned the last chance of the match with a free kick from the edge of the area when he drilled it low but straight into the hands of Roses keeper. The Loons missed the opportunity to move into fourth in the league.

Fulltime 0-1.

Fortunately, for the Loons, no real damage was done to their play off hopes with all of Annan, Stenhousemuir and East Fife suffering similar fates on the day.

Those results means the Loons mission is clear. Two wins from the final two games will see McKinnon’s men seal a promotion play off spot.