Forfar and Stenhousemuir fought out a 2-2 draw at Station Park after the home side's Martin Hardie struck a late equaliser for the Loons.

Forfar started brightly and after an early spell of pressure they took the lead on five minutes.

Ian Ferguson won a free-kick 25 yards out and Gary McPhee hit his shot into the wall, but the ball broke kindly for Roberto Morris and he slotted it past goalkeeper Gary Gow.

But Forfar were unable to hold onto their lead and three minutes later Stenhousemuir equalised when Martin McLaughlan sent in a low cross which was met at the far post by Colin McKinnon.

Stenhousemuir regained the lead after 20 minutes with a route-one effort when Paul McAneny played a long ball over the defence to Isaac English, who outpaced Craig Farnan before lobbing Stuart Garden in the home goal.

Stenhousemuir continued to hold the upper hand and after 34 minutes they exposed Forfar at the back once again.

McLaughlan got behind the Forfar defence and sent a curving ball low across goal which just evaded two team-mates.

Forfar's discipline slipped in the 40th minute and Roberto Morris and Garden were both booked for dissent.

Ferguson won another free-kick for Forfar just before the break, this time just outside the Stenhousemuir box, but McPhee's effort flew high over the bar, allowing the visitors to maintain their 2-1 lead going into the break.

The pace of the second half dropped and Forfar were unable to force their way back into the game.

Midfielder Craig Farnan was booked in the 55th minute for a rugby-style tackle on Barry Donald.

The home side did go close in the 60th minute when Brand hit a rasping drive just past the post.

And the same player was inches away from a Stewart cross a minute later.

Stenhousemuir's Donald was booked in the 70th minute for persistent fouling.

The Loons never gave up their search for an equaliser and eventually their efforts were rewarded when in the 85th minute Gerard Stirling curled in a corner which midfielder Hardie nodded home from six yards out.

Both sides pushed for the late winner but were foiled by some sound defending.