Hester hits hat-trick as Elgin secure a play-off place with victory over champions

Kane Hester scored a hattrick as Elgin beat champions Queens Park 3-2 at Borough Briggs to secure a playoff place.

The hosts went ahead after 49 minutes when Canice Carrol’s pass was intercepted and Kane Hester slotted under keeper Willie Muir. Three minutes later Hester grabbed his second when he fired in the rebound afteraidensopel’sshotcrashed off the bar.

The Spiders halved the deficit through Will Baynham, but Elgin made sure of their topfour place on 77 minutes when Hester completed his treble before Luca Connell pulled another back for Queens.

Stranraer edged Stirling out of the last play-off spot thanks to their 2-1 home win over Edinburgh City.

Andy Stirling put the Blues in front after 20 minutes, but the visitors equalised seven minutes later when a mixup between Scott Robertson and goalkeeper Greg Fleming resulted in Robertson heading into his own net. Stranraer securedvictoryinfirst-halfstoppagetime,thomasorrfiringin the winner.

Cowdenbeath ended their season with a 2-0 home win over Albion Rovers. The hosts scored with their first chance of the game after 13 minutes as Kyle Miller marked his 300th appearance by tapping in from close range. Rovers saw out the last ten minutes with ten men after James Mcgowan was dismissedandcowdencapitalised at the death, Iain Russell converting from the penalty spot.

Markmcguigan’s81stminute goal gave visitors Stenhousemuir a 1-0 win over bottom side Brechin City 1-0. Mcguigan tapped in from close range after a good cross from the left tosecureafirstwinfornewboss Stephen Swift.