Leagues 1&2
DUMBARTON denied leaders Cove Rangers a 10th straight cinch Scottish League One win after battling to a 2-2 draw with a late penalty from Stuart Carswell.
Midfielder Carswell had put the relegation fighters ahead from the spot five minutes before half time, but Cove Rangers, who took Hibernian to extra-time in their Scottish Cup tie, turned things around with two goals in the space of as many minutes early in the second half. Rory McAllister equalised from the spot with Connor Scully then swiftly tapping in from close range only for Carswell to have the final say from 12 yards with five minutes left.
Airdrie missed the chance to close the seven-point gap after being held to a 1-1 draw at Queen’s Park. Charlie Fox gave the Spiders the lead in the 27th minute following a corner, but it was short-lived as Scott McGill soon equalised.
Montrose moved to within a point of Airdrie after coming from behind to beat Falkirk 2-1 at Links Park.
An own goal by Montrose goalkeeper Allan Fleming from defender Sean Dillon’s attempted clearance at a corner saw Falkirk take the lead in the 34th minute.
The Gable Endies were on level terms through a fine effort from Blair Lyons and went into the break ahead when Craig Johnston struck in stoppage time which proved enough to secure the points.
Clyde kept up their promotion push with a 2-1 home win over strugglers Alloa. Aaron Splaine gave the Bully Wee the lead in the 17th minute, with substitute Gregory Tade adding a late second before Steven Boyd scored a consolation in added time.
At the other end of the table, bottom club East Fife fought out a goalless draw against Peterhead to stop a run of five straight defeats.
Meanwhile, Nathan Austin’s late goal gave League Two leaders Kelty Hearts a 3-2 win over Stranraer.
The Maroon Machine seemed to be in control after two first-half goals in the space of a minute from Thomas O’Ware and Jamie Barjonas. But Stranraer hauled themselves level with a brace in three minutes early in the second half when Tommy Muir pulled one back and then James Hilton headed an equaliser.
Austin, though, tapped in a flick-on from O’Ware to snatch all three points.
Forfar remain second, now 10 points adrift, after their match against Edinburgh City was postponed because of high winds.
There was a delayed kick-off between Annan and Stirling because of travelling issues getting to Galabank, with the match eventually finishing goalless, while bottom club Cowdenbeath closed up on fellow strugglers Albion Rovers with a 1-0 win despite finishing with 10 men. An early penalty from Fraser Mullen gave the visitors the lead, with midfielder Kyle Miller shown a straight red card late on.
Stenhousemuir also had a player sent off as they beat Elgin City 2-1 at Ochilview Park to move up to fourth.
Thomas Orr struck twice inside the opening 13 minutes, with Kane Hester reducing the deficit shortly before half time.
Stenhousemuir defender Jordan Tapping saw red with 19 minutes left and Orr then missed the chance of a hat-trick when his late penalty was saved.