Forfar Athletic edged a tight, scrappy Scottish Bells Challenge Cup tie at Station Park, beating Dundee United Reserves 2-1 in a match that was decided by the home side's willingness to fight for every second ball and a brilliant individual finish just after the hour mark.

This was never a game for the purists. Both sides struggled for rhythm in the opening half hour, with the ball spending long spells in the air and possession changing hands constantly in midfield. What separated the teams was Forfar's greater physical presence in both boxes.

Forfar strike first

The opener arrived on 27 minutes and it was a classic Forfar goal. A long throw was flicked on at the near post, the ball dropped into a crowded six-yard box, and Russell McLean reacted fastest to stab home from close range. It was scrappy, opportunistic and exactly the kind of goal that wins cup ties on heavy autumn pitches.

Dundee United Reserves responded well. Their young midfielders began to find pockets of space, and their best passage of the game came in the ten minutes before half-time, when two shots from distance forced the Forfar goalkeeper into meaningful saves.

Tactical story: physicality against youth

The tactical narrative of this match was simple. Forfar knew they could not out-pass a technically gifted academy side, so they made the game direct, physical and vertical. Every goal kick was contested, every throw-in in the attacking third was treated as a set piece, and the centre-backs were happy to step out and win the first contact.

Dundee United Reserves, to their credit, adapted after the break. They pushed their full-backs higher, committed an extra midfielder forward and began to create genuine chances. Adams' goal on 74 minutes was well deserved, and the closing fifteen minutes were played almost entirely in Forfar's defensive third.

The difference was Forfar's organisation in that final period. They defended the box with discipline, cleared their lines without hesitation and were willing to concede possession in wide areas rather than allow shots from central positions.

Standout performers

Skelly's winning goal was the moment of quality the match had been missing, a curled strike from the edge of the box that no goalkeeper at this level would have saved. McLean's contribution went beyond his goal: his hold-up play gave Forfar an outlet all afternoon and relieved pressure at key moments.

For the young visitors, Adams was lively and direct after coming on, while the central midfield pair showed composure on the ball that suggests brighter days ahead. They will leave Station Park disappointed but far from disheartened.

What the result means

Forfar Athletic progress to the next round with exactly the kind of hard-fought win that builds team spirit. Dundee United Reserves exit the competition having learned a valuable lesson about managing the physical demands of senior cup football, but their second-half performance showed they can compete at this level.