PETERHEAD'S three-year stay in League 1 came to an end in emphatic fashion as they were comprehensively beaten by an impressive Forfar who thoroughly deserved to take their place 7-2 on aggregate.

Manager Gary Bollan said: "It was convincing in the end but we knew it was going to be tough and we were up for it from minute one.

"It helped scoring early and put pressure on Peterhead. We looked a real threat throughout the game and cut them open and deserved to win but I certainly wasn't expecting it to be so convincing.

"We managed to kick on after going in front. I'm not usually emotional but they are getting the better of me at the moment. It's a moment I will savour as we should have won promotion automatically weeks ago. The players were determined that disappointment wouldn't get the better of them and that showed today."

Peterhead boss Jim McInally admitted: "It was a horrific way to end a horrific season. I carry the can for that as we have defended like that all season and I haven't been able to change it."

Lewis Milne gave Forfar an early lead when the ball bounced over the head of Blue Toon defender Ryan Strachan from a throw-in and he scored from the right side of the penalty area.

It was no surprise when Forfar doubled their lead after 17 minutes and inevitably it came from a Peterhead old boy, David Cox cutting into the left side of the area and scoring with a shot smashed between keeper Graeme Smith and the post.

Danny Denholm made it 3-0, finishing in style with a curling a shot with the outside of his boot from a Cox pass.

The humiliation continued after 68 minutes when substitute Aiden Malone cheekily back heeled the ball into the net for a fourth to put the icing on the cake.

Twelve minutes from the end Peterhead did manage a consolation, Scott Brown sending a bobbling effort into the net after bursting forward from midfield for a rare moment of joy for the remaining home fans.

In the 83rd minute Forfar made their final substitution and within seconds Josh Peters hammered in a Jim Lister lay-off for goal number five.