Kieran Watson was the Spartans last gasp hero as the defender slammed home following a stramash in the Forfar box to earn full points in the latest SPFL 2 encounter at Ainslie Park.
Ahead of the match, there was a well respected minute’s applause following the untimely passing of former Spartans player and long standing supporter Bob Dryburgh.
The first opportunity of the game was to fall to the visitors after just five minutes when Skelly managed to just about get his effort on target with Carswell being equal to the task, getting down low to save.
In blustery North Edinburgh conditions, the game was turning into a bit of a lottery. Mark Stowe was to have Spartans first attempt at goal however his effort could only find the side-netting.
On his return to the starting line-up, Jamie Dishington was next up to have a pop at goal, only for his shot from just outside the penalty area to flash narrowly wide of the post.
Former Spartans loanee Finn Robson incurred the wrath of the Ref following an infringement that prevented what looked to be a promising counter-attack from the hosts as they searched for an opener.
HT: The Spartans 0-0 Forfar Athletic
Blair Henderson was first up to have an opportunity to break the deadlock in the second half however the striker couldn’t keep the half-volley under the crossbar.
Josh Kelly was next up to find his way into the Ref’s jotter for an unhelpful challenge on home skipper Kevin Waugh.
Cometh the hour, cometh the Cat. Blair Carswell may not have had his busiest opening hour however he had to look as sharp as a tack to make a dynamic double save to prevent Forfar from grabbing what may have been a crucial goal.
A double swap from the home bench saw Brogan Walls and Rory Whittaker replace Lewis Hunter and Mark Stowe.
Play raged on with both sides try not only to beat each other but the blowy conditions making precision passing a bit of a lottery.
With the scoreboard clock turning to 90 minutes, Blair Henderson was inches away from grabbing the advantage, much to the striker’s frustration.
Then, with the game into injury time, Spartans earned a corner kick. In it came, a couple of heads made unconvincing attempts to steer the ball either direction. It fortuitously ricocheted into the path of Kieran Watson who put full force of leather on leather to erm, leather the ball into the back of the net. Cue scenes.
Forfar launched one final attempt to square proceedings. A corner to the visitors was sent into the heart of the box where visiting keeper McCallum made the pilgrimage from his own area. A bit of goalie on goalie friendly fire ensued with both keepers landing into the back of the net, with Carswell clearly impeded in the process.
And with that, one final blow on the whistle. Three hard fought points in yet another game between the sides in SPFL 2 decided by a solitary strike.
FT: The Spartans 1-0 Forfar Athletic
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Blair Carswell
