Third Division: Livingston consolidate top spot

Published on Tuesday 9 March 2010 22:19

LIVINGSTON firmed up their place at the top of the Third Division after defeating second placed East Stirlingshire 2-0 at Almondvale to move seven points clear.

Andrew Halliday's close range header from a Jonny Brown cross in 34 minutes opened the scoring with Robbie Winters doubling the lead with an 18 yard shot in 52 minutes.

The Shire tried to hit back, however Andy Rodgers shot over and Roddy McKenzie saved easily from Stephen Maguire.

Third-placed Forfar Athletic lost for the second time in a row with Queen's Park leaving Station Park with a 1-0 win after Loons midfielder Paul Watson headed the only goal into his own net with 15 minutes to go.

Watson tried to make amends and forced visiting goalkeeper Mark McGeown into a diving save just minutes later with the experienced shot-stopper also denying Barry Sellars as Forfar looked to get a leveller.

The Spiders held on with full back Barry Douglas going close to adding a second with a shot from distance and they now move to within three points of fourth place to spark hopes of a play-off chase.

Following their 4-0 defeat at East Stirlingshire on Saturday the defeat was a further blow to Dick Campbell's men in their bid to consolidate their place in the play-off places.

Albion Rovers were another side to ignite their promotion push when they came from behind to defeat Berwick Rangers 4-1 at Cliftonhill.

Defender Andy McLean netted with a header from a Fraser McLaren corner just before the break for the visitors, who came into the match buoyed by a 3-2 win over Queen's Park at Hampden on Saturday, but the second half belonged to Paul Martin's men.

Alan Benton grabbed an equaliser three minutes into the resumption and on-loan Dunfermline youngster Ryan Thomson scored his first senior goal to put Rovers ahead on 55 minutes. Four minutes later it was three and eleven men against ten when Marc McCusker scored from the spot after being fouled by McLean who was dismissed.

McCusker added a fourth when he benefited from good work from Paul Tyrrell to fire home.