Blunder by Hurst allows Annan to regain top spot
ELGIN were knocked off top spot when they lost 3-1 to Queen’s Park at Hampden, with a blunder by on-loan St Johnstone goalkeeper Mark Hurst helping settle the outcome.
With the hosts leading 2-1, Hurst went to accept a throw-in from team-mate Matthew Cooper – only for the ball to slide off his foot and creep over the line.
It was not the only incident of note, as David Galt appeared to foul Jamie Duff in the build-up to the home side’s opening goal in 29 minutes. No whistle came and Galt ran forward to slide the ball home, with Elgin’s Mark Nicolson booked for dissent. That proved costly six minutes after the break when Nicolson got involved with Queen’s striker Chris Duggan off the ball and received his marching orders.
A passing move from the hosts after an hour ended in Jamie Mckernon scoring from 25 yards.
Duggan then picked up his second caution for kicking the ball away and Connor Mclaren lashed home a Kyle Macleod knock-down with 18 minutes left to give Elgin hope, but that ended with Hurst’s error.
Queen’s head coach Gus Macpherson said: “We played a lot of good football and that was nice to see. However, when it went to ten versus ten it was uncomfortable.”
Elgin boss Jim Weir said: “Whilst it is hard to criticise a goalkeeper that has been excellent for us he has made a mistake. He will learn from it.”
Annan defeated Berwick Rangers 2-0 at Shielfield to return to the top of the table.
Rabin Omar volleyed home in the first half before Smart Osadolor tapped in a Martin Mcniff cut-back for the second.
Montrose made it four wins out of four at Links Park with a 2-1 success over East Stirling. Graham Webster and Gary Fraser grabbed early goals before Max Wright hit a late consolation for Shire.
The top six sides are now just separated by a point after Kevin Smith scored the only goal as East Fife defeated Clyde 1-0.
Arbroath secured their second win by seeing off Stirling 2-0 at Gayfield. Sergio Cecilia Alvarez drilled in the opening goal on 50 minutes and Bobby Linn found the net shortly afterwards to lift Arbroath up to ninth.