It is advantage to the Athletics of Alloa and Forfar after the first leg of the Championship play-off, with the Wasps winning 2-0 at Brechin and the Loons seeing off Stranraer 3-0 at Station Park.
Managers Danny Lennon and Dick Campbell were both keen to point out that nothing has been decided and top performances will be required to book their place in next week’s two-legged final.
Lennon said: “We applied ourselves very well in the first game but I cannot emphasise enough that it is only half-time. We have put ourselves in a good position by scoring two goals and keeping a clean sheet but that is all we have done.
“It was a terrific team performance - we were very strong at the back and creative up front but not a thing has been decided. I am glad that Michael Chopra got a goal as you can see that he has quality and is getting better as he gets fitter. Brechin City are a side that can cause their opponents problems so we need to be on our guard.”
Disappointed Brechin boss Ray McKinnon said: “We worked really hard to get ourselves into the play-offs but we did not do ourselves justice. We have to go to Alloa and show we are a much better side than the first game indicated. We have to do that to have any chance of getting through.”
Forfar boss Campbell said: “I wanted my team to play like they can and they did that. We were very good in the first half but just could not get a goal and I warned the players that Stranraer would look to make the most of the game still being goalless.
“They did and had chances at the start of the second half but eventually we got the goals we deserved. I was delighted with Michael Kennedy, who showed a lot of courage on his debut, and I was delighted that young Kerr Hay got a goal.
“However, I have been in the game long enough not to be fooled by anything. We were good but it is only half-time and Stranraer will look to roar back into the game.”
Blues boss Stephen Aitken said: “The better team won and congratulations to Forfar. We were second to everything all night. I thought we were going to get away with a 1-0 defeat but we then lost two unacceptable late goals.
“That was the worst we have played all season. Where there is life, there is hope but we need to play a whole lot better.”
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