Falkirk set for another year in third tier after loss

HARRY MILNE struck twice as Cove Rangers extended their lead at the top of League 1 to five points with a 2-0 win at Falkirk.

Milne headed the visitors in front in the 54th minute and added another on the hour to keep Cove on course for promotion, while the defeat means the Bairns can no longer catch Queen’s Park in fourth.

Airdrie were held to a 2-2 draw at Montrose, where they missed a late penalty. Blair Lyons had the hosts in front after only two minutes before Callum Smith headed the visitors level. Lyons struck again with 20 minutes left but Callum Gallagher soon had Airdrie back on level terms.

Airdrie then had a chance to put themselves ahead for the first time with 15 minutes left but Dylan Easton sent his spot-kick wide.

Queen’s Park kept their promotion push on course after a last-minute penalty from Luca Connell secured a 1-0 home win over bottom club East Fife, who slumped to a fourth straight defeat.

Ross MacIver’s second-half strike proved enough for Alloa to beat Clyde 1-0 and Russell McLean’s equaliser just before the break gave Peterhead a 1-1 draw at Dumbarton, who had taken an early lead through Josh Oyinsan.

In League 2, bottom club Cowdenbeath picked up their first win in 10 games as they beat promotion hopefuls Annan 3-2 at Galabank. Andrew Barrowman put the Blue Brazil in front after 12 minutes before Tony Wallace equalised. Craig Barr’s header restored Cowdenbeath’s lead ahead of the break and Samuel Ompreon made it 3-1 on the hour.

Wallace set up a tense finale when he slotted in a penalty with seven minutes to go but the visitors held out for a welcome three points.

Goals in each half from Adam Corbett and Michael Miller gave Stenhousemuir a 2-0 win at strugglers Elgin, who are now nine points clear of Cowdenbeath with three games left but hold a much better goal difference.

At the other end of the table, champions Kelty Hearts were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Stirling, with both goals coming early in the first half. Kieran Moore fired the visitors into the lead after just two minutes but Botti Biabi soon had the Maroon Machine back on level terms.

Edinburgh City boosted their promotion hopes with a 2-0 home win over rivals Forfar, while Stranraer ran out 5-0 winners at Albion, scoring three times in the closing six minutes.