Second Division: Queens cruise to end of an ideal week

Published on 24/09/2012 04:24

SECOND Division leaders Queen of the South completed a fine week’s work by seeing off hosts Brechin City 3-0.

The Doonhamers defeated Ayr 4-2 last weekend before knocking Rangers out of the Ramsdens Cup, and their fifth league win in six games was secured by half time. Chris Higgins headed in after seven minutes and Derek Lyle copied him five minutes from the interval. Willie Gibson netted a penalty eight minutes into the resumption after Nicky Clark had been fouled.

Palmerston manager Allan Johnston said: “We have enjoyed a good week and some people have suggested that we are putting pressure on ourselves but real pressure is being at the bottom of the table.” Brechin assistant manager Kevin McGowne said: “We made it too easy for Queen of the South. We can’t allow that again.”

Second placed Forfar drew 1-1 with Arbroath, but it may feel like a win for Dick Campbell’s men as they played most of the second half with only nine men. Michael Bolochoweckyj gave the Loons an early lead, but he was red-carded before half-time for a foul on Gayfield player/manager Paul Sheerin.

Steven Doris converted a penalty after Derek Holmes had been fouled seven minutes after the interval and the ten men became nine when Stephen Tulloch was sent off. However, their depleted ranks held out.

Alloa Athletic defeated Stranraer 3-0 with Kevin Cawley opening the scoring and Martin Grehan’s penalty making it two right on half-time after visiting goalkeeper David Mitchell was dismissed. Graeme Holmes completed the scoring in the last minute.

Albion Rovers and Stenhousemuir drew 4-4 with the Warriors’ Stewart Kean completing a hat-trick in injury time. David Crawford opened for Rovers, Kean edged Stennie in front with a double before Mark McGuigan restored parity, only for Andy Rodgers to put the Ochilview side 3-2 up. Crawford and Gary Phillips had Rovers in the driving seat until Kean’s late strike.

Kyle McAusland’s late header gave Ayr United a 3-2 win at East Fife and sent their hosts to the foot of the table. Jamie Pollock had given the Fifers the lead, but a David Sinclair double turned things around. A draw looked on the cards when debutant Bobby Barr lobbed an equaliser with eight minutes to go.