Second Division roundup: Reilly nets another two as Queens maintain fine start

By CRAIG P STEWART
Published on 17/09/2012 03:01

undefeated Queen of the South head to Ibrox for tomorrow night’s Ramsdens Cup quarter-final on a run of eight wins in nine games after their 4-2 win at Ayr.

The Doonhamers were behind twice to the bottom-of-the-table side before a brace from red-hot Gavin Reilly, who scored a hat-trick last time out, won the game in the second half. Kyle McAusland, on loan from Hamilton, opened the scoring for Ayr after eight minutes when he rammed home a Marc Twaddle knock-down. The Dumfries men responded through Nicky Clark six minutes later but Darian MacKinnon headed Ayr in front again only for Paul Burns to restore parity before half-time. Reilly shot Queens in front on 63 minutes and secured the win seven minutes later. Player/manager Allan Johnston said: “We had momentum before the international break and it took a while to get going again but we got there.”

Ayr manager Mark Roberts said: “We are losing ridiculous goals.” Second placed Forfar made it four consecutive wins by seeing off visitors Brechin 1-0, with Martyn Fotheringham scoring the winner midway through the first half. Loons goalkeeper Derek Soutar earned his wages in the last minute with a terrific double save to deny Derek Carcary and then Andy Jackson.

Arbroath moved into third place with a 2-0 win over East Fife thanks to early strikes from Steven Doris and Derek Holmes in a game that was ruined by the wind blowing into Gayfield straight off the North Sea.

Stenhousemuir won 2-0 away to Alloa with Darren Smith opening the scoring in the second half and former Wasp Brown Ferguson’s injury-time penalty sealing the Warriors’ success after Smith had been felled by home goalkeeper Scott Bain.

Albion Rovers recorded a 2-1 win at home to Stranraer with Mark McGuigan, on loan from Partick, making an instant impression with a late winner.

Jason Crooks opened the scoring for the hosts when he headed in a Tony Stevenson free-kick on 49 minutes with Chris Aitken levelling for the Blues on the hour mark. McGuigan struck the winner 10 minutes from time after more good work by Stevenson.