Fresh subs spark new life into East Fife
east FIFE 2 airdrieonians 2
East Fife – Dunsmore (8), Watson (89); Airdrie – Gallacher (12, 28)
Craig Watson’s last-gasp equaliser secured the Methil men a point, which keeps them on the coat tails of the League 1 pacesetters.
East Fife burst into life early on and almost grabbed the lead with just three minutes on the clock.
After a spell of some really good build-up play, the hosts worked the ball to Ross Davidson on the edge of the box. The midfielder tried his luck, but his shot dipped inches over the bar.
But Darren Young’s side didn’t have to wait much longer to break the deadlock.
Aaron Dunsmore was allowed to gallop virtually the full length of the Airdrie half without a challenge and he punished the Diamonds by sending a shot low into the corner of the net.
The lead lasted barely a couple of minutes, though, Calum Gallacher nodding home from close range.
The same man made it 2-1 shortly before the half-hour mark when he swept home a loose ball after East Fife had been unable to clear their lines.
Lewis Baker almost hit back straight away, but the striker couldn’t fashion a shot on target.
East Fife continued to plug away with Ryan Wallace having a couple of sights of goal.
Fife boss Darren Young introduced Pat Slattery and Anton Dowds from the bench and the double substitution sparked new life into the home side.
And they eventually pulled level when Watson was on hand to head Wallace’s delivery home.
Forfar ath 1 raith rov 1
Forfar – Forbes (8); Raith – Baird (71)
Forfar made the breakthrough after just eight minutes, visiting keeper Ross Munro gifting Ross Forbes the easiest of nod-ins after the Raith stopper fumbled a cross.
Raith should have equalised on 23 minutes, but Jamie Gullan screwed his 12-yard shot wide.
Raith started the second half strongly and Grant Anderson turned a flashing cross from Kieran Mcdonald just past the post.
Moments later, Dylan Tait missed a sitter that would have brought Raith level, but blasted over from four yards.
Luck was on Forfar’s side again in the 69th minute when ex-forfar assistant manager John Baird turned brilliantly in the box and lost his marker, only for his shot to crash back off the post.
But Baird did haunt his old club and rescue Rovers just two minutes later when he headed home a great equaliser from six yards.
Peterhead 1 FALKIRK 3
Peterhead – Durnan (og 26); Falkirk – Mcmanus (9, 24, pen 61)
Peterhead were forced to defend an early free-kick, Charlie Telfer sending his 25-yard thumping shot into the wall with three minutes gone.
Falkirk opened the scoring when a shot by Morgan Gomis was blocked by Mick Dunlop, but the ball broke to Declan Mcmanus, who drilled a low shot into the net from six yards.
It was 2-0 after 24 minutes with another slick move from the visitors, full-back Michael Doyle playing the ball in, and Aiden Connolly with the lay-off for Mcmanus to strike first time for his brace.
Peterhead brought themselves right back into it two minutes later, a Mark Durnan own goal from a downward Dunlop header giving them hope.
Five minutes into the second half, Durnan should have made amends, but headed wide from a corner.
The full-time Bairns continued to dominate as they did in the first half, but mishit crosses were all too easily cleared.
However, disaster struck for the homes side after 61 minutes, defender David Ferguson barging over Aiden Connolly for a stonewall penalty and was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Mcmanus rifled the ball from 12 yards down the middle for his hat-trick.
It could have been more, Connor Sammon having a shot from a tight angle saved by Greg Fleming soon after.