Stranraer first British side for the drop

Published on Sunday 5 April 2009 23:33

STRANRAER became the first league side in Britain to be relegated this season, after they went down 3-0 to second-placed Raith Rovers at Stair Park.

Their inevitable fate was sealed when first half goals from Iain Williamson and Robert Sloan were added to by a late strike from comeback striker Stevie Hyslop. The Blues will now play in their eighth different division in eight seasons.

Manager Keith Knox said: "Relegation has been on the cards for a while now, but it is still disappointing when it happens. Defensively we have been poor for a long time and that continued today."

Leaders Ayr United saw off the potential banana skin challenge of a tricky Stirling Albion side 3-1 at Somerset Park. The Forthbank side went ahead through a Martin Grehan goal in 14 minutes.

Former Motherwell youngster David Gormley struck a 25-yard goal to level before putting his side ahead in first half injury time to turn things round. Alex Williams added a third in the last minute.

Jim Duffy's Brechin City remain third after a double from Charlie King defeated relegation play-off favourites Queen's Park 2-0 at Glebe Park. Duffy said: "That is as good as we have played at home since I came here."

King netted his first from a 25-yard free kick before sealing things with a fine finish from a Rory McAllister headed pass.

Peterhead moved five points clear in fourth place after coming from behind to defeat Alloa 2-1. Dougie Wilson fired the Wasps in front, only for late goals from Konrad Kozminski and Callum Macdonald to win the game for the Blue Toon.

East Fife were held to a goalless draw with Arbroath at New Bayview with the visitors jumping over Alloa into seventh place as a result.