What a game!!. The players must be congratulated for producing an exciting cup-tie in terrible conditions. The near gale force wind was blowing straight down the pitch and this proved to be a key factor in the game. Stranraer fans were surprised before hand when they learned that top scorer Ian Harty had been excluded from the squad all together and also that skillful left sided player Lee Sharp was on the bench.

Forfar started the hungrier with the wind at their backs. After a period of pressure Kevin Byers picked up the ball in midfield skipped past two Stranraer players and then cracked in a unstoppable 25 yarder low into the bottom right hand corner of the net past the diving John Hillcoat. Forfar continued to dominate with Robbie Horn heading a Byers corner onto the crossbar after 12 minutes. In the 16th minute Stranraer had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Moore appeared to be blocked off, after he had made a good turn in the box. Shortly after he received a soft booking. Byers then went past three Blues defenders before passing to Bavidge who wildly blasted wide from 12 yards.

Stranraer were creeping into the game now and Paul Kerr had an effort that drifted wide. Paul Tosh then headed over for Forfar when well placed. Kerr then had two great chances to equalise but nothing came of them. Up the other end Kevin Gaughan had to be well placed to clear Horn's header off the line in the 30th minute. Eventually the well-deserved equaliser came when Moore threaded the ball wide to Finlayson who whipped in a great cross to Paul Kerr who then guided his header perfectly into the far corner of the net. Stranraer were playing much better now and chances fell to Harry Curran and Fraser Wright. (Striker) Wright's miss was terrible. Just on half-time Kevin Milne had a shot for Forfar that Hillcoat parried and in the resulting scramble he took a nasty blow to his head but after some treatment he was able to continue.

The second half started with Stranraer continuing to dominate with Allan Jenkins firing wide when well placed. Then after 50 minutes he made amends when Aitken's shot took a wicked deflection onto the post. The rebound fell perfectly for Jenky and he made no mistake from 12 yards. Shortly after Moore fired in low cross that drifted just passed. The slightest of touches would have resulted in a goal. Forfar brought on Marc Anthony after 56mins. The game was swinging from end to end now and Finlayson had an effort just wide and Paul Kerr headed over. At the other end Byers had a shot that was deflected for corner thanks to great block from a stretched defence. The game was becoming more and more counter attack like now and from one of these after a great run from deep by Jenkins, Harry Curran's delightful chip had goal written all over it until Neal Ferrie pulled off a crucial save for Forfar.

Forfar got their second when the ball was chipped forward to Allan Rattray who headed the ball down into the path of the onrushing Paul Tosh who made no mistake from six yards.

There were chances at either end after this, with some of Stranraer's shooting woeful. In particular Michael Moore who blazed over from 10 yards when it looked easier to score. The Blues had another penalty claim turned down near the end but in all fairness this was a fair result from a great cup-tie. I must point out that the refereeing was terrible the whole match for both sides.

In summary: a good cup-tie and even with the fact that we're not through yet it was still good to be in the fourth round draw on the Saturday night.

Man of the Match: Tennents M.O.M. was Kevin Byers which was well deserved but I thought Kevin Finlayson of Stranraer was back to his best so he gets my vote this week.

Attendance: 661