Gable Endies move into play-off spot with Stranraer feeling Blues

Montrose leapfrogged East Fife into the League 1 promotion play-off spots thanks to a second-half strike from Russell McLean at Stair Park.

McLean’s goal with 18 minutes left was enough to seal the points and move Montrose into fourth, two points above East Fife before the trip to New Bayview on Saturday.

The bottom club started strongly and Matthew Allan made a fine block to prevent Cameron Elliott from giving them an early lead after Andy Stirling had carved out the chance.

Allan Fleming then had to get down smartly to save a free-kick from Jamie Hamill as Stranraer sought an early breakthrough.

Montrose looked lively going forward and Craig Johnston just failed to latch on to a decent through ball from McLean with the home defence caught flat-footed.

The home fans were calling for a penalty when Elliott went down in the area but referee Peter Stuart saw nothing untoward.

Johnston then had a look at goal after outmuscling Hamill but could not trouble Max Currie.

Stranraer finished the first half on top. Ryan Stevenson sent a tame shot wide of the post and the home side won three corners in the final five minutes without troubling Fleming.

The hosts opened the second half as they had ended the first by winning a series of corners, but Fleming was again kept well protected between the sticks.

It was Montrose who fashioned the best chance of the match so far on the hour mark. Johnston’s header looked set to break the deadlock but Adam Cummins was handily placed to hack the ball off the line with Currie beaten.

McLean then set up a chance for substitute Ross Campbell but he was at full stretch and poked his shot wide.

Stranraer did not heed the warning and, after 72 minutes, Campbell set up McLean and he beat Currie with a left-foot shot for the only goal of the game.

McLean almost added to his goal in the dying minutes, flashing a volley wide and then firing over.