Ayr coast to victory but fans hard to please

LEAGUE 1

Table-toppers Ayr United maintained their six-point lead over Raith Rovers with a 4-0 win over Queen’s Park that pleased manager Ian Mccall but failed to excite the home supporters.

Former Spider Lawrence Shankland’s hat-trick had the game won before half-time, with Craig Moore adding a penalty 14 minutes from time.

Mccall said: “Our fans were very quiet, which is not like them. I do not expect my team to just turn up and win. We need the fans to get right behind us between now and the end of the season.”

Raith stayed in touch with a 2-1 success at Airdrie, where Lewis Vaughan volleyed in after eight minutes and Jason Thomson quickly headed home a second. The Diamonds pulled a goal back through Scott Stewart seconds into the second half but they could not draw level and had Liam Watt dismissed in injury time.

Stranraer stunned hosts Arbroath by coming from two goals down in just 13 minutes to win 3-2. Omar Kader and Gavin Swankie had the Red Lichties coasting but Stephen Okoh and Grant Anderson drew the Blues level before Scott Agnew’s penalty won the points.

Alloa moved into third with a 3-1 success at Albion Rovers. Steven Hetherington grabbed a double and Jordan Kirkpatrick also netted before Joao Victoria pulled a goal back. Forfar eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 win over East Fife. Dylan Easton scored in the first half and Dale Hilson in the second.