Peterhead and Forfar ease through to set up an all north-east decider

Peterhead made the most of their chance of survival via the play-offs by booking a place in the final after a 3-0 win over Montrose at Balmoor secured a 4-1 aggregate success.

A last-day win over Alloa set up the chance of another season in League 1 for Jim Mcinally’s men and they now need to see off Forfar, who led League 2 for almost the entire season, to ensure they beat the drop for a second time.

After Montrose had gone close early through Greg Pascazio, talismanic striker Rory Mcallister headed Peterhead in front on 34 minutes after Nicky Riley had flicked on a Jamie Stevenson corner.

Mcallister made it 2-0 early in the second half when he side-footed home a penalty after Matty Allan had downed Riley.

Montrose continued to press, but Matty Smith’s red card for retaliation on Riley ended their chances of a comeback and Jordan Brown nodded in the third just before the end. Mcinally said: “Montrose gave us a few concerns but we put on a professional performance to get through. I am pleased that we are in the final but there is no celebrating from me as nothing has been achieved.

“It is difficult when you are the one team with something to lose and the other teams have something to gain. We need to handle that again when we play Forfar.”

The Loons saw off Annan 4-2 to secure a 6-4 aggregate success, a first-half blitz putting Gary Bollan’s side in control.

Skipper Gavin Swankie, pictured, had slipped the ball under Blair Currie to open the scoring on 12 minutes and Danny Denholm added the second from an inch out before Swankie lashed home a cutback to make it three.

Annan fought back in the second half when Aidan Smith scored a penalty and Darren Ramsay scored a fine solo goal. However, Jamie Bain soothed Forfar nerves when he slotted home a Swankie cross with 18 minutes left.

Bollan said: “If we play like we did in the first half we will give Peterhead a tough time of things.”