On what that can not be described as anything other than a freezing February night at Stair Park, Stranraer scraped into the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

Forfar had the better of the early chances. In particular, George Shaw's pass to Darren Henderson and his left foot shot fron 30 yards fizzed wide of Hillcoat's goal.

Stranraer then had the ball cleared off the line. A Harty speculative cross come shot was cleared off the line by Forfar skipper Alan Rattray.

Just a few minutes later Harty again caused problems. His audacious chip was watched all the way by Forfar's Stranraer-born 'keeper Michael Brown, only had to tip over the bar for a corner.

Stranraer were carving up the better chances now. A Fraser Wright header to Michael Moore almost cost problems, but Brown was quick off his line to clear the danger.

Just before half time Kevin Byers almost gave Forfar the lead after persistant runs at the Stranraer defense. The striker broke free and hit a low left foot drive that Hillcoat did well to claw out.

Forfar looked the dominant team in the second half. Hillcoat had to touch Martin Bavidge's 25 yard screamer past the post after the defense was rather reluctant to go and challenge him.

A few minutes later Marc Anthony stung the hands of Hillcoat with a vigorus volley which the 'keeper did well to hold.

Anthony looked the the most likely to score and minutes later he tested Hillcoat again. His swerving shot from 30 yards hit the bottom of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

At this stage of the match the casual observer would have thought teh tie was infact Marc Anthony versus Stranraer! A shot from Byers was blocked by Hillcoat and Anthony on the follow up could only blast the ball high and wide of an unguarded net.

For all of Stranraer's attacking in the second half, there wasn't much to show for the effort. However, when Stranraer did attack it paid off. Frazer Wright got away from his marker, Mark Cocozza, and crossed the ball into the box.Two touches later by Harty saw the ball in the back of the net. Harty controlled the ball well, then fired it into the bottom corner of the net.

Well into injury time Colin Hodge should have taken the game into extra time. A poor clearence fell to Hodge and from only 5 yards out he managed to strike the ball wide of the post.

STRANRAER MOM- Stevie Aitken and John Hillcoat. Aitken kept the midfield going and Hilly kept Stranraer in the game with 3 or 4 good saves.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE- This performance can not be described as anything other than shocking.

Attendance: 425