Rovers on the up after play-off turnaround

ALBION Rovers moved away from one play-off and headed towards another one by defeating East Fife 1-0 at The Exsel Group Stadium in Coatbridge.

On a night where defensive mistakes were prevalent Darren Young’s side won the three points thanks to a Ryan Wallace goal in the second half and a last-gasp Ross Stewart penalty save. The Fifers started the brightest and Chris Duggan was only a foot away after four minutes when he fired a right wing cross goalward.

Duggan had the next opening as well on 13 minutes when he pounced on a Scott McBride error and charged forward with home goalkeeper Stewart doing well to push his effort wide for a corner.

Rovers grew into the game and looked set to be awarded a penalty on 30 minutes when striker Ross Stewart tumbled under a Chris Kane challenge.

Referee Kevin Graham put the whistle to his lips only to change his mind and wave play on.

A minute later Ryan Wallace pounced on a poor Kane clearance and sent in a lobbed effort that Mark Hurst did well to save. Alex Cooper missed an opening for the Bayview men before the deadlock was broken 10 minutes into the second half.

Jason Kerr lost possession at the edge of the box and Wallace swept a first time effort out of Hurst’s reach.

A minute later Rovers almost gifted away an equaliser when Alan Reid headed past Stewart and the ball looked set to roll over the line until the shotstopper sprinted back to his line and clawed clear.

Substitute Jamie Insall thought he had slid home an equaliser with 12 minutes left, however, an offside flag cut short the visitors’ celebrations.

In the final minute Insall was fouled in the box by Mick Dunlop but Stewart beat away Scott Robinson’s spot-kick.