Dalziel and Love give Stenhousemuir edge

Published on Thursday 14 May 2009 23:46

Stenhousemuir 2 Dalziel (6 pen), Love (32) Queen's Park 1 Harkins (33)

THIRD Division Stenhousemuir are in pole position to win their play-off semi-final with Queen's Park after deservedly seeing off their Second Division rivals at Ochilview last night.

The Warriors took the game to their opponents from the kick off and went ahead after only six minutes. Craig Molloy went down in the box as Stevie Reilly slid in and referee Steven Nicholls immediately pointed to the spot, with Scott Dalziel rolling in the penalty with ease.

Things got worse for Gardner Speirs' side in 32 minutes. Paul Cairney lost possession and Kevin Motion surged forward. When the midfielder was blocked, Robert Love deftly lifted the loose ball over Zander Cowie from 16 yards out.

To their credit, Queen's Park hit straight back within a minute as Paul Harkins guided in a Steven Nicholas cross with a well-placed header. In 38 minutes they almost drew level. Nicholas tried to chip Scott Bennett and the keeper had to touch the ball over the bar. Willie Lyle headed a Paul Ronald shot off the line from the resultant corner.

Stenhousemuir had a good chance on 56 minutes but Reilly hooked a Dalziel header off the line and the hosts had to settle for a one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg on Sunday.

Stenhousemuir: Bennett, Lyle, Reid, Thom, Smith, McLeod, Love (Brand 90), Molloy, Dalziel, Diack (Brazil 75), Motion. Subs not used: Thomson, Tyrrell, Renton.

Queen's Park: Cowie, Ure, Douglas, Reilly, Brough, Ronald (McGrady 75), Holms, Cairney, Nicholas, Harkins, Watt (Murray 83). Subs not used: Boslem, McGinn, Crawford.

Attendance: 617. Referee: S Nicholls.