Wallace brace helps Lichties go into third

League one: Arbroath cruise to victory and extend unbeaten league run to eight games

STRANRAER 1 ARBROATH 4

In-form Arbroath climbed to third in League One last night thanks to a handsome win at Stair Park as Dick Campbell’s side extended their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Former Dunfermline and Stranraer striker Ryan Wallace converted two penalties while fellow January transfer window signing Michael Mckenna and ex-forfar midfielder Danny Denholm also found the net.

The result was all the more satisfying as the Lichties had fallen behind to a spectacular ninth-minute strike from Cameron Macpherson, who lashed home an unstoppable shot from 30 yards on his home debut.

But the Gayfield side came back strongly. Max Currie was called upon to make a save from Gavin Swankie and then the goalkeeper had to react swiftly to flip a misplaced backpass from Scott Robertson behind for a corner.

The visitors got a deserved equaliser six minutes from the break when Stranraer sub Morgyn Neill fouled Tom O’brien in the penalty area.

Wallace netted the spot-kick against his former club, sending Currie the wrong way.

Colin Hamilton almost gave Arbroath a half-time lead when he got his head to a Wallace corner but sent his effort wide.

But the goal was only delayed as Mckenna had Arbroath in front a minute after the break, beating Currie with a back-post header.

Arbroath took control thereafter. Currie made an excellent reflex save to deny Wallace a second goal from close range.

Blair Yule was next to try his luck with a fiercely-struck shot from just outside the area but again the Blues keeper was equal to the task.

Wallace was clearly in the mood on his former stomping ground and increased Arbroath’s lead with another penalty in the 63rd minute after Jamie Hamill had tugged his shirt in the area.

This time he sent the kick the other way and again Currie guessed wrong.

Stranraer almost pulled a goal back immediately when Angus Beith sent an inviting ball across goal and substitute Ross Lyon was just inches away from connecting.

But David Hutton was rarely troubled. Scott Agnew had a decent attempt from distance but the goalkeeper saved comfortably.

Currie made a superb save at the other end to deny Wallace his hat-trick as Arbroath continued to press.

The home side were relieved to see Wallace subsituted 10 minutes from time but three minutes later it was 4-1 when Denholm pounced after Currie had beaten out a shot.

Attendance: 201.

Stranraer: Currie, Hamill, Robertson, Barron (Neill 26), Mcgowan, Anderson (Lyon 64), Beith, Agnew, Macpherson, Woods (Chukwunweike Okoh 58), Thomson. Subs not used: Hawkshaw, Mclaren, Elliott, Dykes.

Arbroath: Hutton, Little, O’brien, Hamilton, Denholm, Swankie (Mcintosh 74), Martin, Yule, Linn, Mckenna (Whatley 74), Wallace (Gold 80). Subs not used: Skelly, Gomes, Mccord, Kader.

Referee: Alan Newlands.

SNS. Danny Denholm grabbed Arbroath’s fourth of the night.

Lichties strike Ryan Wallace grabbed a brace against his former side.