Queens stretch lead at Second Division summit

Queen of the South’s domination of the Second Division came of age on Saturday as they moved 21 points clear with a 3-0 success over bottom of the table Albion Rovers, which was also their 21st win of the season.

The Coatbridge men had kept a pressing Doonhamers side out until two minutes from the break when Derek Lyle lobbed the ball over visiting goalkeeper Matthew McGinlay after a long punt from Mark Durnan was missed by Marvin Andrews.

It was 2-0 on 76 minutes when Nicky Clark swept home after Durnan had headed on a corner and defender Durnan got his name on the scoresheet when he bundled the ball in from about an inch out after McGinley had stopped a Chris Mitchell free-kick.

Palmerston boss Allan Johnston said: “Albion had been getting bodies behind the ball and frustrating us so it was a difficult first half.

“It wasn’t a performance full of fluency but we won and that is the main thing.”

The Coatbridge side are now 12 points adrift of even the partial safety of a play-off place, however manager Todd Lumsden said: “No-one in our camp is giving up and we will keep fighting.”

Second-placed Alloa went down, for the second time at home this season, to Arbroath with Derek Holmes grabbing a goal four minutes from half-time in a 1-0 win when he netted a rebound after a drive from player/manager Paul Sheerin was partially saved by home goalkeeper Scott Bain.

Ayr United boosted their hopes of a play-off and dented Forfar’s with a 2-1 success over the Loons at Somerset Park.

Liam Buchanan scored in the first half and Michael Donald the second before Iain Campbell pulled a goal back for the hosts from the penalty spot.

Stranraer and visitors Stenhousemuir drew 1-1 with Darren Gribben netting for the hosts and Kevin McKinlay replying.

The Brechin City and East Fife was postponed as Glebe Park was water-logged.