The result catapulted the Loons back into the Scottish third division's top four - and now the aim must be to clinch a fourth round place in the national tourney.

But it will be no straightforward task for Dick Campbell's troops, especially with opponents Spartans flying high in the East of Scotland League.

The non-league outfit were on South Challenge Cup duty on Saturday past, defeating Edinburgh by two goals to one to make progress - and they will be keen to add a third division scalp to their honours' list.

But, the carrot for the Loons is a place among the big boys who enter the competition in round four, and you can rest assured Dick Campbell will have his charges well prepared to take on the team currently riding high in the East of Scotland League, in pole position and four points clear of their nearest rivals.

Forfar's league form has been patchy of late, with concerns over defensive capabilities, but there was little wrong with Saturday's performance at Elgin City, where two fine goals and a clean sheet ensured the points were returning to Station Park.

The result takes the Loons into fourth spot in the table, a point ahead of Albion Rovers, although the Cliftonhill side have a game in hand.

Fourth, or better, is where Campbell will want to be come the end of the season, and, ahead of the trip to Elgin, he moved in to sign an experienced goalkeeper in the shape of Bryn Halliwell.

Bryn has been on the books of Hamilton, St Johnstone, Dunfermline and Clyde and has signed for the Loons until the end of the year.

However, the manager opted to start with Ally Brown between the sticks, also giving Ross Campbell, Forfar's top marksman with 14 goals to his credit this term, a rest.

Forfar made a bright start to the game, and, in four minutes, an Ian Harty pass picked out Kevin Gordon, but the low shot was gathered by the home 'keeper.

Seven minutes later, Harty was again provider, but Kevin Fotheringham's shot went over the top.

Elgin City's best effort fell to Craig Frizell who raced in on goal only to be thwarted by Ally Brown.

The open goal came Forfar's way five minutes before the break, Chris Templeman doing well to pick out Martyn Fotheringham with a precise pass and the visiting midfielder doing the rest with a fierce shot into the roof of the net.

Ten minutes into the second half and Forfar were two up, this time Martyn Fotheringham squaring for Chris Templeman to pick his spot.

Forfar continued to dominate and, but for a series of missed chances, could easily have won by a much more convincing margin.

Still, three points away from home are always welcome in what is turning out to be an extremely competitive league - and, hopefully, the Loons will take Saturday's form on to Ainslie Park in Edinburgh, in the bid to make a Scottish Cup round four place theirs.

A supporters' club coach has been organised for Saturday, leaving town at 12 noon (see separate article), but hopefully many more fans will head for the capital to lend their support to the Loons' cause.

For those planning to make the trip, the ground is quite easy to find, located in Pilton Drive, just off Ferry Road, in the north side of Edinburgh.

The advice is to leave a little more time to get to the ground, as the capital city is also hosting a rugby international between Scotland and Argentina the same afternoon.

The good news for travelling fans is that the admission charges have been pegged at £8 for adults and £4 for OAPs and juveniles.

Elgin City - Gibson, Niven, Tatters, Dempsie, MacDonald (Cameron), Edwards (Calder), Gunn, MacAulay, Frizzel, Nicolson and David A. Craig (Crooks).

Forfar Athletic - Brown, Mowat, Iain Campbell, Martyn Fotheringham (Gibson), Tod, Tulloch, Gordon, Templeman (Callum Smith), Harty (Ross Campbell), McCulloch and Kevin Fotheringham.

Referee - B. Madden; crowd - 519.