Annan stay top as gaps in table start to stretch

The League 2 table is beginning to get stretched for the first time this season with leaders Annan as well as their three closest challengers all winning at the weekend, writes Craig P Stewart. The Galabank men ensured that they stayed two points clear of Queen’s Park thanks to a 3-1 win over visitors East Stirling with manager Jim Campbell full of praise for veteran striker Peter Weatherson.

Annan took the lead after just five minutes through Matty Flynn, Weatherson then cracked a shot past Darren Dolan in the Shire goal, and beat him again with a 25-yard free kick. Alistair Roy grabbed a consolation for the visitors.

Chapman said afterwards: “I do not think I have made a better signing than Peter. He has been terrific for Annan.”

Shire boss Craig Tully said: “We were out-muscled in the first half and deserved to be two goals down. We were better in the second.”

Queen’s Park saw

off Arbroath 1-0 at Hampden with Chris Duggan slipping home the winner with 11 minutes played after a surging run from Joe Bradley. Clyde defeated East Fife 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half from Scott Ferguson.

Darren Smith went one better than Ferguson as he scored a hat-trick as promotion dark horses Stirling defeated Montrose 3-1 at Links Park. Adrian Mallagaray scored a late consolation for the Gable Endies.

Elgin kept their place in the top four when they defeated bottom of the table Berwick Rangers 3-2. Michael Mckenna gave the Borderers an early lead, but Darryl Mchardy netted the equaliser and Brian Cameron cracked in a Dylan Easton cut-back. Craig Gunn added the third though Darren Lavery pulled a goal back.