WATCH: Darryl McHardy gets Elgin City's year off to a perfect start with a stoppage time winner as City defeat second-placed Forfar Athletic
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DARRYL McHardy was the hero of Borough Briggs yet again with an injury-time winner to give Elgin City a 1-0 win over Forfar Athletic.
The Black and Whites got their year off to the perfect start with a scrappy 1-0 win courtesy of McHardy's header in the third minute of time added on - see video below.
The victory took City ten points clear of bottom club Cowdenbeath and just five points off the promotion play-off places.
McHardy grabbed a last-gasp equaliser for ten-man Elgin in their last home outing against Stenhousemuir, a result they followed up with a 1-0 win at Stirling just before Christmas.
Manager Gavin Price was able to field a strong starting eleven despite Covid issues in their camp.
Russell Dingwall’s ever-present run of starting appearances this season was broken as he dropped to the bench while there was a rare start in attack for Josh Peters and a first start for ex-Caley Thistle winger Matheus Machado.
Ross County loan defender Tom Grivosti returned from suspension and there was a place on the bench for two new faces, Aberdeen loan defender Evan Towler and trialist Aldin El Zubaidi.
In front of a sell-out 500 crowd of home supporters, Elgin looked to kick off 2022 on a high note.
Former Scottish Cup-winning captain Steven Anderson got himself booked just a minute into the match, as the former St Johnstone veteran blocked a Tom McHale throw-out with his hand.
Forfar looked more confident in possession while Elgin had the first sniff of an opening when Kane Hester got in behind marker Andy Munro but couldn’t hit the target from the tightest of angles on ten minutes.
The home side looked rusty and nervy with poor distribution from their own final third, McHale fluffing kicks on his left foot and a series of misplaced passes by home players putting their team under pressure.
Machado was looking lively for City and fired an opportunity wide from outside the box on 17 minutes.
Play was generally scrappy, both sides looking like they were suffering from a festive hangover as scoring opportunities were few and far between.
City’s Angus Mailer and Forfar’s Paul Crossan both went into the book for late challenges.
There was a chance for Elgin seven minutes before half time from a Machado cortner which Hester flicked on at the near post but Forfar’s Craig Slater was on hand to hack it clear on the goal-line.
After a goal-less first half, City emerged for the second half without their captain Euan Spark who picked up a hamstring injury and was replaced by Towler for his team debut.
The home side had a double escape on the resumption of play.
Firstly McHardy was caught in possession by Scott Shepherd on his own byline and the Forfar man cut across and fired over a shot which McHale saved well with an outstretched foot.
Almost immediately Elgin gave the ball away and Gary Harkins weaved through and with only McHale to beat, he fired into the side netting.
The home team broke upfield and Matthew Cooper fired over a low cross which Peters met first time but fired wide from 15 yards.
At the other end Stefan McCluskey miscued a volleyed chance with Elgin again exposed down their right hand side.
Grivosti and Machado both wasted free kick opportunities midway through the half, both firing high over the target.
Forfar’s Andy Munro and Elgin’s Matthew Cooper were next in the book for late challenges as play continued to be scrappy. Even City boss Gavin Price had his name taken by the referee for a moment of dissent.
Price brought on the Dingwall brothers, Russell and Tony, for the final 15 minutes to try and bring some quality into the contest.
Cautions were outnumbering chances with R Dingwall and Forfar’s Harkins and sub Grant Anderson next to have their names taken.
Hester fired straight at keeper Marc McCallum from a great home chance five minutes from time.
At the other end Forfar nearly stole the lead when Draper didn't deal properly with a high ball and McCluskey got in behind, only for McHale to stick out a leg and make a crucial save.
In stoppage time City were awarded their third free kick within shooting distance and Tony Dingwall produced the best of the three with a dipping effort forcing McCallum to tip over the bar.
That proved to be a vital moment in the game as from the resulting corner T Dingwall swung the ball over from the left and McHardy stooped to nod the ball into the corner of the net.
The celebration were almost identical to the last home game against Stenny, but this time Elgin's jubilation was for securing a priceless three points in their quest to rise up the League Two rankings.
Elgin: McHale, Cooper, Spark (Towler 46), McHardy, Draper, Grivosti, MacEwan (R Dingwall 74), Peters (T Dingwall 74), Hester, Mailer, Machado.
Forfar: McCallum, Meechan, Strachan, S Anderson (Whyte 67), Munro, Slater, Moore (Gallagher 74), Harkins, Crossan (G Anderson 81), McCluskey, Shepherd (Doris 74).
Ref: D McFarlane
