Sean Murdoch 1 Craig Wilson 1

Two on loan Pars players faced each other on Saturday when Craig Levein's Raith travelled to meet former Par George Shaw's Forfar Athletic at Station Park.

The interest for Dunfermline, in this Scottish Second Division match, was Sean Murdoch in Forfar's goal against Craig Wilson at right back for the Rovers.

Sean Murdoch (left) and Craig Wilson (below)

The match pitched tenth v eighth and defeat for Forfar would have left them stranded at the foot of the table. It looked bleak for the home side when the Rovers scored in 11th minute after they lost the ball in an attacking position in midfield. Halmar Thorarinsson, on loan from Hearts, was released on the right and from deep in the right side of the penalty box he fired the ball across the face of goal for Armand One to flick into the net. Sean had little chance to prevent the large Frenchman scoring.

Both Craig Wilson and Sean Murdoch had plenty to do although the keeper was rather fortunate to see the match out. Thirteen minutes into the second half Murdoch tumbled with Thorarinsson in the D at the top of the box. Referee Boyle reached to his pocket and for the home fans there was great relief as the whistler decided to show yellow to the Icelander for diving.

Sean confessed afterwards:- "I did catch the boy and when the ref pulled out a card I thought it was going to be red for me, but that's the luck you need sometimes. I was just lucky to stay on the park and be available for the next game as well."

Craig Wilson summed up the Kirkcaldy side's match:- "We created chance after chance, then they got their best chance of the game and scored. We had a man sent off and that changed the game."

Lynn's free kick hits the crossbar leading up to the equaliser

Raith completely lost their impetus when Ian Davidson was sent off in the 77th minute and Forfar stormed back into the match. With two minutes left on the clock Paul Tosh grabbed a very valuable equaliser. The home side won a free kick on the edge of the box and Gary Lynn stepped up to crash a left foot effort off the crossbar. The ball rebounded back into play and new boy amateur, Gregory Tade won a header in the box to set up Paul Tosh. The 33 year old sent an acrobatic effort into the roof of the net from six yards out.

Despite having conceded more goals than any other keeper in Scotland, Sean Murdoch has clearly won over the hearts of the Loons supporters. Just ten minutes into the second half one was heard to say to his mates, "If it wasn't for Sean Murdoch we would be six down by now!" Sean spoke about his life as a Forfar player:-

"Raith passed the ball about well and I did make a few saves but that is what I have to do and it is great that we got a point. It was an excellent finish. That is the second time we have done that this season."

Sean's unenviable record comes as a consequence of losing 8-0 to Peterhead at the end of last month.

"We went up to Peterhead and it was just awful. We had to play injured players; it was terrible and I do not want to go through that ever again. After the game I got so much abuse from my pals. It's a learning curve and you just have to learn from it. It was just a shambles, the game should never have been played."

Sean trains every day at Pitreavie with Dunfermline and still changes with the first team meaning he does not feel an outcast. On loan until January at least Sean is optimistic that his experience in Angus might be a good grounding for staking his claim for changing with the Pars first team on match days too"-

"This is so much better than playing reserve football. Raith brought a good support up with them today and you really feel that you are playing for something.

"I still look out for Dunfermline's results; I am going to the game (v Hibs) on Monday with my girlfriend. I train with Roddy McKenzie and Dorus de Vries - they are a great bunch of guys - very competitive and when I am able to play for Dunfermline I will give them a right good challenge. Greg Paterson was on the bench at Fir Park and he is another one who will be looking to get involved. There are four of us there, any one could play."

Clearly Sean will have a big say in Forfar's chances of survival this season and he badly needs the club's injured defenders back to give him some protection. When back to full strength he is sure things can be rosier:-

"I am so hopeful for Forfar, they have a good bunch of players. We are capable of doing it so hopefully starting from today we will turn things around. It was so important not to lose this game or we would be adrift. One point after being 1-0 down after 85 minutes is good."

Craig Wilson views his loan to the Rovers until January to be a real opportunity:-

"It is good to get games and play first team football. For my fitness and to keep me sharp it is better than playing reserve games. I was looking to go out on loan because obviously we have Freddie (Daquin) and when I heard that Craig Levein was interested in me I just wanted to go. I have been learning a lot off him, he goes over the games on video and he is always showing you what you could do better."

Craig Levein has followed Craig Robertson's decision to play Craig at right back:-

"He came and saw me play at right back so he just plays me there. I am happy to do a job there.

Monday and Wednesday nights Craig trains with the Rovers but three days in the week he is back at Pitreavie with Sean. The Forfar keeper did wind up his opponent:-

"He text me before the game warning me to be aware in a 50/50 ball. He did well today. I had a shot at goal but it never tested him."

Craig was unaware that he would be meeting up with ex Par Sean Kilgannon, it was only when he checked on the Raith Rovers website to see who he would be playing alongside that he discovered there was at least one familiar face.