Right from the off they took the game to Stranraer and new boy Craig Lumsden should have bagged a double in the opening nine minutes.
Once he found themselves clear through on goal only to be denied by a brilliant one-handed save by keeper Allan Morrison. A few minutes later Lumsden again should have found the net but this time he shot against the foot of the post.
The Loons broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when David Dunn hooked a clever ball across the face of goal and Alan Rattray stooped low to head the ball home from only two yards out. Unfortunately Rattray took a serious head-knock and, after lengthy treatment at the side of the pitch, was taken straight to hospital for stitches.
While Forfar were reduced to ten men, Stranraer took advantage and equalised in the 15th minute. Mark Crilly sent over a free-kick which was headed back across goal by David Hamilton. The ball fooled everyone and nestled over the line off the far post.
Forfar continued to carve out opportunities, however, and Darren Gribben passed up two great chances, one brilliantly saved by Allan Morrison and the other wasted when he headed wide from six yards, in front of goal.
Forfar's lead was restored in the 51st minute when their triallist No. 11 sent over a perfect cross from a corner and Lumsden glanced his header past Morrison.
Stranraer's cause was not helped in the 74th minute when Crilly was sent off for a second booking when he pulled down Lumsden just outside the box.