East Stirling 0-3 Forfar

Aug 24 2008 David Milligan Reports

JOHNNY RUSSELL capped a dream debut with a deadly double as Forfar cruised past sorry Shire. The on-loan Dundee United striker bagged a goal in either half before veteran hitman Derek Lilley wrapped up the points in the second period.

Forfar opened the scoring in 19 minutes when the home side struggled to deal with Kevin McLeish's free-kick.

Ex-Airdrie defender Eddie Forrest bravely scrambled David Dunn's close-range effort off the line but Russell was on hand to slam the ball into the net after a goalmouth scramble.

The Loons then killed the game off with two goals at the start of the second period.

Russell bagged his second 10 minutes into the half when he forced home Elliot Smith's inch-perfect cross.

And former Morton, Leeds and Dundee United striker Lilley heaped more misery on Jim McInally's side in 58 minutes when he rose unchallenged to head home another Smith cross.

On-fire Russell looked to have bagged a hat-trick in 65 minutes when he forced the ball home after another sweeping cross from Smith.

However, referee David Somers chalked the goal off for offside and he had to settle for a double.