Please note: Match postponed due to waterlogged pitch
Fans inside the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park are delighted to see Elliot Dunlop back at Stranraer and the feeling is mutual.
The midfielder won a lot of fans during his 25-game loan spell from Airdrie in the second half of 2024.
However, it looked like his time in Wigtownshire was up when he returned to the Diamonds at the turn of the year.
Now, he is back and enjoying his time working under Chris Aitken once again after featuring against Bonnyrigg Rose and Spartans.
Speaking after the victory over the Edinburgh club, he said: “There was always talk about maybe coming back.
“I want to play games and when I was here I was playing every week and going back and not playing was kind of frustrating for me.
“I wanted to make it happen if I could and then it all worked out and I am back.
“Being here every week, playing every week and being involved in every game, you can’t beat that feeling.

“Instead, I could have been there and maybe getting the odd sniff every five games or so and it is not what I wanted to do.
“I wanted to go out and play as many games as I could at this sort of age.”
Sean Docherty capped an impressive home debut with the opening goal against Spartans and Ryan Edgar netted a decisive second as the game entered stoppage time on Saturday.
Now, Dunlop is hopeful they can build on that win and get used to the winning feeling on a more regular basis.
They do not have long to wait for that opportunity as Forfar Athletic travel down the A77 on Tuesday night (7.45pm kickoff).
Dunlop said: “A win on Tuesday would put us in a really good place.
“Again, for us, it has been win, loss, win, loss and for us it is about trying to get two in a row.
“Then two becomes three and before you know it you are looking up and you have got a right good chance.”
Last meeting
It was only a matter of days ago that Stranraer travelled to Forfar Athletic and now the journey is reversed with the Angus side heading to the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park.
Forfar had chances to break the deadlock, with Lewis Reid and Tomas Brindley clearing off the line in the opening stages.
However, Stranraer were improved after the break. Brindley cleared the ball down the line to Robbie Foster, who exchanged passes with Ryan Edgar. Foster then played the ball into the box and Grant Gallagher’s header found the net.
Forfar pushed for a leveller but Bradley Rodden pulled a shot wide and then was unlucky to see a volley fly off target as the Blues held on.
Forfar Athletic: McCallum, Morrison, M Allan, Logan, Sweenie-Rowe, Inglis (Whatley 73), Robson (Malcolm 78), Cannon, MacLean (Rodden 64), Skelly (F Allan 46), McLean.
Not used: Hutchinson, Lemon, Taylor and Paris.
Stranraer: Lane, Brindley, Cummins (McIntosh 59), Ross, Ecrepont, Reid, Robertson, Gallagher, Russell, Foster (A Trialist 77), Edgar (Quigg 88).
Not used: McKnight, Guthrie and Kane.
Last five meetings
- Forfar Athletic 0 Stranraer 1 (Gallagher) at Station Park on January 25, 2025
- Forfar Athletic 2 Stranraer 0 (Cannon and Malcolm) at Station Park on September 21, 2024
- Forfar Athletic 2 Stranraer 0 (Whatley and Morrison) at Station Park on April 27, 2024
- Stranraer 0 Forfar Athletic 0 at Stair Park on March 2, 2024
- Forfar Athletic 1 Stranraer 1 (Allan; McDonald) at Station Park on December 2, 2023
Last five games

Stranraer
- WIN v Spartans (H): 2-0 (Docherty and Edgar)
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 3-1 (Russell)
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (A): 0-1 (Gallagher)
- LOSS v East Fife (H): 0-2
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 1-0
Forfar Athletic
- DRAW v Peterhead (A): 2-2 (McLean and Byrne)
- LOSS v Stranraer (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Cove Rangers (A): 2-0
- DRAW v Elgin City (H): 1-1 (Logan)
- LOSS v East Fife (A): 1-0
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Spartans: Lane, Brindley, Reid, Ross, Docherty, Dunlop (McKnight 76), Robertson, Gallagher, Russell, Foster (Grant 65), Edgar (Quigg 90).
Not used: Ecrepont and Kane.
Forfar Athletic
Lineup v Peterhead: McCallum, Hutchinson (Taylor 79), M Allan, Morrison, Sweenie-Rowe (Cannon 88), Slater, Malcolm (McAllister 67), Robson, Logan, MacLean (Byrne 66), McLean.
Not used: F Allan, Inglis, Lemon, Rodden and Paris.
Five facts

1. Many players have played for both Stranraer and Forfar Athletic but the most recent one is Declan Byrne. The frontman made two appearances for the Blues as a trialist, including against Forfar last month, and then signed for the Angus side. He got his first goal for his new club in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Peterhead.
2. Among the former Blues celebrating their birthday on Tuesday is Mark Lamont. Starting his career at St Mirren, Lamont also played for Dumbarton, Albion Rovers, Stirling Albion and East Fife before joining the Blues in 2018. In total, he made 29 appearances for Stranraer and scored once. The goal came in a 3-0 win over Brechin City when Ali McCann and Cameron Elliott also found the net.
3. Stranraer fans will remember their last home midweek league win with fondness. It came 11 months ago when they defeated Dumbarton 5-0. An early own goal was followed by a Matty Grant strike and Dylan Forrest and Ben Armour got in on the act before half time. There was one more goal after the interval and it coined the recognisable ‘Bang Bang’ Deryn Lang.
4. The last time Stranraer won back-to-back home games came at the end of 2023 into 2024. A 3-1 win over Bonnyrigg Rose (an own goal was followed by efforts from Matty Grant and Craig Ross) was followed by a 2-0 win over Peterhead (Tom Orr and Chris Johnston found the net).
5. The recent record at Stair Park for meetings between Stranraer and Forfar Athletic is very even. The home side have won four, the visitors have won four and the other two finished in stalemate. Another consistent aspect of that time has been Forfar goalkeeper Marc McCallum, who has played in all 10 of those fixtures.
Admission

Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are valid for Tuesday night’s game.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Merchandise

Our 2024/25 Mizuno home jersey is back in stock and available from the merchandise hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand.
Inspired by the shores of Loch Ryan, the new tops are priced as follows:
- Adult £55
- Youth £45
Cash and card payments are accepted, and we have a range of sizes available, along with brand new away strips, training tops and more.
Pavilion Bar

Pop into the Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile for a pre-match refreshment with fellow fans.
Home, away and neutral supporters are warmly welcomed, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop off at the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Coverage

If you’re further afield, follow our live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter).
The manager’s post-match reaction will be available on YouTube following the game.
Club 1870 subscribers get a first look at the goals late on Tuesday night, along with full match footage on Wednesday evening.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Wednesday afternoon, with Gary Redhead joined by the one and only Allan Jenkins on commentary in the absence of Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin.
Photos: Bill McCandlish