LEAGUE ONE

Blitz by Ayr raiders sinks sorry Blues

IAN McCALL hailed his Ayr United side after they crushed Stranraer 5-1 to stay top of the table.

The Somerset Park boss said: “We were irresistible. It was a great way to come back from losing to Forfar, a result we’re still trying to get our heads round.”

Lawrence Shankland put Ayr ahead after eight minutes when he nodded home and Michael Moffat made it 2-0 just before the break, his shot going in off a post.

An Ayr blitz just after half-time ended the game as a contest with Alan Forrest scoring either side of another Shankland goal. The Blues’ consolation came when Kyle Turner netted late on.

Stranraer boss Stevie Farrell said: “Goals win games and they scored at important times.”

Raith Rovers stayed just two points behind Ayr with a battling 3-2 derby victory at East Fife.

Coach Kevin Cuthbert said: “We went ahead three times in the game so credit to our players for keeping going right to the end.”

Raith went in at the break 2-1 up after goals from Scott Robertson and Liam Buchanan either side of a Kyle Wilkie strike for home side.

East Fife levelled it again after the break from Scott Linton’s free-kick but Dario Zanatta’s close-range finish in the 79th minute sealed it for Raith.

Methil boss Darren Young said: “Losing bad goals has cost us again, everyone is gutted.”

Alloa nicked a late point in a 2-2 home draw with Queen’s Park.

Ross Stewart fired the Wasps ahead but goals from Luke Donnelly and an Adam Cummins penalty either side of the break put Queen’s in front before Kris Renton earned the Wasps a draw.

Albion Rovers fought back to earn a point against Airdrie in a 2-2 derby draw at Cliftonhill.

Alan Trouten put Rovers ahead in 57 minutes but the Diamonds hit back with quick goals from Willis Furtado and Dean Cairns.

However, Scott McLaughlin fired home late on to salvage a point for Rovers.

Arbroath got the New Year off to a flier with a 1-0 win at Forfar, Leighton McIntosh hitting the winner just before the break.