GABBY TO GIVE CAL LIMELIGHT
GABBY McGILL grabbed his first career hat-trick in a 6-1 thrashing of Kelty Hearts – but he was happy for strike partner Calum Gallagher to steal the limelight with the goal of the game.
And McGill reckons Gallagher has a new trademark move after his delightful spin that led to him firing Airdrie’s fifth into the top corner.
The Diamonds ended a run of four games without a win to hammer Kelty and stay within two points of the play-off spots.
McGill grabbed a treble, Jack Milne netted an own goal, Gallagher found the target and Callum Smith completed the scoring for the home side, before Jamie Barjonas scored a consolation from the penalty spot late on.
Englishman McGill said: “Gal can steal the limelight, that’s fine. I love him to pieces but I did not see that coming.
“Once the turn did happen and he’s in that position in the box, you know the net is going to bulge because his finishing capabilities are incredible.
“He’s put it in the top bin and you always knew he was going to score there.
“The boys were calling it a (Aiden) McGeady spin but it’s the Gallagher spin now and it was brilliant.”
The defeat was Kelty’s ninth of the season and has all but ended their slim hopes of reaching the play-off spots, as they sit 12 points adrift with eight games to go.
Meanwhile, Marvin Bartley admitted Queen of the South can’t afford to play half a game as they were held to a 1-1 draw at struggling Clyde.
The point helped the Bully Wee move three clear of bottom side Peterhead.
The home side took the lead through Erik Sula’s diving header.
Ruari Paton’s second half strike rescued a point for the Doonhamers but Bartley, who was sent off by ref Chris Graham at full-time, said: “The first half was the worst I’ve experienced at this club.”
Luke Donnelly scored on his return from injury as Alloa pulled level with Edinburgh after their 2-0 victory at Meadowbank.
George Stanger won possession in the middle of the park and the ball broke to Donnelly, who curled past Robbie Mutch.
And Mutch fumbled Quinn Coulson’s cross into his own net late on.
EAST FIFE jumped into the play-off spots after they came from behind to edge past Stenhousemuir 2-1 and record their first victory over the Warriors this season.
Stenny went ahead when Matty Yates converted a clever short corner but the Fifers levelled when Jack Healy set up Alex Ferguson to tap in.
Scott Shepherd, however, took the points back to Bayview after getting the winner eight minutes from time.
Jack Leitch grabbed an injury-time winner as Stirling Albion came from behind to close the gap at the top to two points after they defeated basement boys Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1 at Forthbank.
Callum Connolly fired the Rose ahead early in the first half before Dundee United loanee Flynn Duffy hammered home the equaliser.
Robert Thomson then laid Ross McGeachie’s cross into the path of Leitch who curled home in the first minute of stoppage time.
It was a cruel blow for Bonnyrigg boss Robbie Horn and he told Rose TV: “I thought we deserved something out of the game but that’s football.
“We got ourselves in front and I thought we managed the game pretty well but then we just switched off a wee bit.
“The first goal got them back into it and gave them a bit of a lift.
“They were pushing forward but we had a good opportunity as well and could have scored.
“I keep saying the same
thing but I’m really proud of their efforts.
“They’re not hiding and are working as hard as they possibly can for each other and the club.
“The supporters can see that and they got right behind the players.
“It’s just frustrating again that we’ve lost a goal right at the death.”
Tommy Goss scored twice as Annan came from behind to beat 10-man Elgin City 4-1 at Galabank.
Kane Hester put the visitors ahead but defender Ross Draper’s red card proved to be the turning point as Max Kilsby equalised before Goss converted from the spot.
Wullie Gibson volleyed in goal No.3 in the second half before Goss rounded off the scoring with his 25thof the season.
HAMISH MUNRO has savoured his share of title success – but is driven to experience it all over again.
The influential Buckie Thistle defender helped his team climb five points above title rivals Brechin City to boost hopes of a first silverware success since 2017’s league triumph.
A 3-1 comeback victory away to Banks O’ Dee carved the advantage, although favourites Brechin hold two vital games in hand.
Buckie failed to end their trophy drought recently – losing to Fraserburgh in the Aberdeenshire Shield final and to Dee in the Highland League Cup semi-final.
The revenge victory in the league was sealed despite the visitors falling behind to Lachie MacLeod’s opener for Dee in the third minute.
Andy MacAskill’s double and another from Josh Peters ensured Buckie cranked up the pressure on their Angus foes.
Long-serving Munro, who won previous titles with the green and whites in 2010, 2011 and 2017, reckons it was a vital win.
The 37-year-old said: “It’s important we keep the pressure on Brechin and make them work as there are still tough games to come.
“We reacted well to the disappointment of going out to Banks O’ Dee in the cup.
“At a club like Buckie, there’s an expectation that you win things and we want to get back to that feeling.
“If we were to win the league again, for me it would probably be extra special.
“It’s not something you get bored of. It would be great for the fans as well.
“I’ve been lucky enough to do it three times with Buckie and we’ll do all we can to bring the trophy back here.”
Elsewhere, Nairn County’s bid for a top-six finish gathered pace as they beat visiting Huntly 2-0.
Veteran Connor Gethins broke the deadlock after 72 minutes, with Caley Thistle loanee Matthew Strachan scoring six minutes later.
Lossiemouth and Turriff shared four goals in a mid-table scrap at Grant Park, while Forres drew 1-1 at home to Formartine.