Red Lichties extend run to seven months
arbroath 1 east Fife 0
Mckenna (56)
Arbroath made it seven months without a league defeat as they maintained their seven-point lead at the top of League 1.
The Gayfield side haven’t lost a league clash since a 3-0 defeat to Queen’s Park in April, and continue to dominate the title race thanks to Michael Mckenna’s second-half strike.
The Red Lichties’ Danny Denholm saw his early header blocked on the line by East Fife defender Pat Slattery. Mckenna then missed from close range. But he put his side ahead from 10 yards on 56 minutes, stroking home a low Ryan Wallace cross from close range.
There was a late scare for the hosts as visiting sub Scott Mcbride hit the bar.
airdrieonians 0 Forfar 1
Baird (82)
The home side went close to an opener in 10 minutes after Forfar’s Michael Travis’ clearance flew over his own goal.
Six minutes from the interval, Airdrie had a great opportunity. Some bright play on the left from Joao Victoria led to a low driven cross and Kyle Wilkie sent towards goal, only to see his attempt blocked. His follow-up was fired just over.
Immediately after the break, the visitors had a succession of chances and David Hutton’s saves kept it at 0-0. The winner came when the visitors were able to play the ball across the 18-yard line. Dale Hilson squared the ball to former Diamond John Baird, who struck in a sweet volley from 18 yards.
raith rovers 2 Brechin CITY 1 Raith – Nisbet (40, 90); Brechin – Jackson (90+3)
Raith Rovers beat Brechin City 2-1 at Stark’s Park to keep up the pressure on league leaders Arbroath.
Coach Stevie Campbell took charge of Brechin after the departure earlier this week of manager Darren Dods and his assistant Lee Bailey.
The first half was a largely drab affair. Brechin’s Euan Smith drove a great effort over the bar on 15 minutes, while Rovers hitman Kevin Nisbet had the ball in the net on 32 minutes, but it was ruled offside.
But Nisbet was not to be denied. On 40 minutes, he picked up a stray Brechin pass in midfield and advanced into the visitor’s box and finished well.
In the second half, Brechin sub Melingui crashed a great shot off the Rovers bar, then Nesbit did the same at the other end on 68 minutes.. Raith made the game safe on 90 minutes when Flanagan played a through ball to Nisbet, who got his second of the match with a shot in off the bar. Jackson pulled one back on 93 to make it a nervy last minute for the home side but they held on for the points.
Montrose 1 dumbarton 0
Webster (53)
Dumbarton had a chance in 23 minutes when Calum Gallagher had a shot saved by Jordan Millar.
Montrose almost grabbed the lead in 34 minutes. Craig Johnston had a shot blocked and a follow-up overhead-kick from Martin Rennie went just wide.
In first half stoppage-time, Graham Webster got clear on the right for Montrose, but his shot went just wide.
In 48 minutes, Millar turned a Russell shot for a corner and, from the corner, Andy Dowie had a header saved.
Montrose took the lead in 53 minutes. Andrew Steeves went on a surging run down the left and his cross was knocked home on the back post by Webster. Dumbarton pressed and Cammy Ballantyne tried an effort which dipped into the roof of the Montrose net. Montrose almost added a second in the final minute as Euan Henderson found Patrick Cregg, but his shot was saved by Chris Smith.
stenhousemuir 0 stranaer 2
Anderson (47), Crossan (90+1)
Stranraer won on the road for the first time in six months and the Stair Park men deserved their victory.
The visitors created the best chances in the first half, with Grant Anderson coming closest to opening the scoring, but he was to be denied by Graeme Smith in the home goal.
The keeper, however, was beaten just after the second half started with Anderson at last getting on the scoresheet as he drilled a John Paul Crossan cross into the net.
Things were to get worse for Stenhousemuir in the 73rd minute when Alan Cook was dismissed for a tackle from behind on Anderson, who, after treatment, was stretchered off the pitch. Although Stenny pushed hard for the equaliser, they lost any momentum they had after this. It was no surprise that Stranraer extended their lead in added time when Crossan scored.