Second Division: Everything goes the way of leaders Livingston

Published on Tuesday 1 March 2011 18:01

It was another good night for Second Division leaders Livingston as they defeated Forfar Athletic 3-0 and then left the field to learn that promotion challengers Brechin City and Ayr United had dropped points to extend the West Lothian side's lead at the top of the table.

Iain Russell netted from the spot after just five minutes to make it five goals in five games from the front man and although the Station Park side hit the woodwork the points were safe when Raffaele De Vita grabbed the second goal with just over an hour played when he capitalised on good play from Keaghan Jacobs.

Substitute Robbie Winters put the icing on the cake with a third goal 2 minutes from time.

Brechin City and Dumbarton drew 3-3 with the Sons showing a never say die attitude at Glebe Park. Both sides were on the mark early as Kevin Byers headed home a Rory McAllister pass in nine minutes, however visiting Jon McShane shot home a leveller less than two minutes later. Byres and Pat Walker exchanged goals midway through the second half, however it looked like Brechin would edge things when Rory McAllister netted on 69 minutes only for McShane to pop up with a third equaliser five minutes from time.

Stenhousemuir came from a goal behind to defeat Ayr United 3-1 to make it two wins in two games. The Honest Men carved open the Warriors defence for Stuart Bannigan to shot home from six yards after just 6 minutes however the Ochilview men equalised in 36 minutes.

Stevie Murray's cross caused confusion in Ayr's box and the ball cannoned off goalkeeper David Crawford to drop into the path of Scott Dalziel 16 yards out and he fired into the empty net.

The game turned on 54 minutes when Jordan Smith was handily placed after a Dalziel header from a Sean Dickson corner had been blocked to net.

Stenhousemuir increased their lead on 63 minutes when Eddie Malone fouled Dalziel and Alex Williams made a perfect job of the spot-kick.

East Fife defeated Peterhead 3-1 at New Bayview to pile more pressure on Balmoor manager Neale Cooper with the Blue Toon now falling to the foot of the table. Steve Hislop grabbed the opening goal after 22 minutes when Bobby Linn scampered down the wing and sent over a cross that the inrushing Hislop fired home. The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Linn fired an angled drive past Paul Jarvie and it was three on 54 minutes when Linn grabbed his second. Martin Bavidge earned a small measure of consolation for the visitors when he scored 17 minutes from time.