Kelty end with win and Forfar confirm second
ANNAN 1 KELTY HEARTS 2
Kelty finished the season on a winning note, but had to fight hard for the points at Galabank and make a comeback after the home side got an early goal.
The champions started strongly and Kallum Higginbotham and Jamie Barjonas both came close.
However, disaster struck the visitors in the 22nd minute when Annan took the lead thanks to an own goal, Kelty defender Thomas Reilly heading a Chris Johnston cross past his own keeper Darren Jamieson.
Eight minutes later, they were level when Maksym Kucheriavyi passed
through to Higginbotham and the goal ace first-timed a 20-yarder into the net.
A minute into first-half stoppage-time, Kelty took the lead for the first time when
Alfredo Agyeman was left clear and he fired a 20-yard shot high into the net.
Annan made four substitutions early in the second half to try and get back on level terms and Aiden Smith and Scott Hooper went close.
Late on, Higginbotham sent a 20-yarder just over the Annan bar.
FORFAR ATHLETIC 0 STENHOUSEMUIR 0
Forfar secured second place with a controlled draw against Stenhousemuir at Station Park.
The Loons controlled a quiet opening 45 minutes, but created just one clear-cut chance. Ross Meechan’s long throw was flicked over the keeper by Matty Aitken and broke for Steven Warnock, but he headed wide.
The second half continued much in the same vein as the first but for all of the host’s huffing and puffing, no goals could be scored. Callum Moore had a shot well saved by Stenny keeper David Wilson, before substitutes Scott Shepherd and Luke Strachan were denied.
News soon filtered through of Annan’s defeat and second place was confirmed for the Athies as they chased victory.
Gary Irvine’s men now face the long trip south to play Annan, in the cinch League One play-off semi final, with the return leg at Station Park next weekend.
STIRLING ALBION 5 EDINBURGH CITY 0
Stirling Albion’s Dale Carrick hit an 11-minute hat-trick in the first half to take his tally to 11 goals for the season, with midfielders Kyle Banner and Jack Leitch also on target.
Edinburgh, who made five changes ahead of Tuesday’s play-off against Dumbarton, went behind when Kyle Banner opened the scoring in 14 minutes when he got on the end of a Leitch pass and steered a shot into the net.
On 17 minutes, it was 2-0 as Carrick confidently converted a penalty after Aaron Dunsmore was brought down, then, soon after, the ex-airdrie striker scored from close range after good work by winger Kieran Moore.
Carrick blasted in a low drive from 25 yards to complete his first senior hat-trick with only 28 minutes gone.
He then turned provider midway through the second half for Jack Leitch to complete the rout with a cool finish.
STRANRAER 2 ELGIN CITY 0
Long-travelled visitors Elgin carved out the better chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Russell Dingwall was denied by a last-gap block from defender Craig Ross and, twice in the final five minutes of the first half, they found home keeper Luke Scullion in impressive form.
The Stranraer defence was cut open and Rory Macewan had time to pick his spot, but Scullion narrowed the angle and made a good block.
Barely 60 seconds later and a combination of Scullion and Grant Gallagher kept out Rabin Omar’s header, which looked destined for the net.
The Blues improved after the break and had already threatened through Sean Burns before they took the lead. James Hilton was brought down in the box and Matty Yates kept his cool to send Daniel Hoban the wrong way from a penalty.
Immediately, Stranraer could have doubled their advantage with substitutes Paul Woods and Tommy Muir denied within 60 seconds.
It was not until the final five minutes that the hosts wrapped the game up though. Dean Hawkshaw’s free-kick evaded everyone and Sam Ellis was lurking at the back post to bundle home for his first career goal.
COWDENBEATH 0 ALBION ROVERS 1
Cowdenbeath threatened in seven minutes when Fraser Mullen’s corner was met by Jamie Todd at the far post, but his header went inches wide.
Then, in 14 minutes, the home team’s Andrew Barrowman and Liam Buchanan worked a good move and the latter burst into the Rovers box, but his shot hit Harry Stone’s right-hand post.
Soon after, Rovers’ Kyle Doherty made a fine run across the face of the Cowdenbeath box and his fierce left-foot shot curled wide.
Then, seven minutes from the break, Rovers’ David Wilson burst into the Cowden box and let loose from 17 yards. Home keeper Cammy Gill, however, bravely blocked the effort.
The visitors took the lead a minute into the second half when Charlie Reilly gathered a loose clearance 25 yards out and first-timed a shot high into the net.
Reilly went close again 15 minutes later when, again, he latched on to a weak clearance, but this time his shot took a deflection off home skipper Craig Barr and curled over the bar.