Third Division: Arbroath leading top four but it's all to play for again tomorrow night

Published on Sunday 6 March 2011 16:17

The four sides occupying the top four places at kick-off time on Saturday faced each other, and it was Arbroath who emerged with the strongest title credentials. However such is the tight nature of this season's Third Division, it could all change again tomorrow night.

The Red Lichties defeated Annan 2-1 to jump over previous leaders Stranraer, who lost to Albion Rovers, and there will be more drama almost immediately as the two victorious sides meet at Gayfield on Tuesday evening, whilst the two losing sides are clashing at Galabank.

Arbroath's double act of strikers Steven Doris and Gavin Swankie had their side two up early in the second half, however Bryan Gilfillan headed in with 37 minutes to go to prompt an Annan fight-back.

The visitors struck the woodwork twice, however they could not force a leveller with Arbroath boss Paul Sheerin admitting that he is taking substance over style just now. Sheerin said: "You have to take care of business at this stage of the season and if that means winning without playing great football, so be it."

Albion Rovers came from behind to defeat Stranraer 3-1 at Stair Park. Scott Agnew curled in a free kick that started out looking like a cross from 35 yards out to have Stranraer ahead by half time, however Robert Love, Ciaran Donnelly and Iain Smith all scored to take the points to Coatbridge.

Queen's Park made it nine wins in ten games by defeating Clyde 4-0 to slip over Annan and into fourth place, although Hampden head coach Gardner Speirs is not getting carried away with hopes for promotion.

David Murray scored twice in three minutes to open the scoring and Ian Watt extended the lead before half-time with Jamie Longworth sliding the ball home to make it four early into the second period.

Speirs said: "We will stick to our approach of thinking about winning only the next game." Clyde manager Jim Duffy was honest afterwards saying: "Queen's Park were excellent and we were dreadful and we got a bit of a hammering as a result."

Berwick Rangers may sit in seventh place, however they are building up a head of promotion steam as their 4-0 win over Elgin made it ten points from the last 12 for Jimmy Crease's side.

Former Hibs and Partick Thistle striker Damon Gray scored twice in the first half and once in the second to notch a hat-trick, with Darren Gribben also finding the net before the first 45 minutes were up, to leave Borderers' boss Jimmy Crease a happy man.

He said: "Another three points against East Stirling on Tuesday and we are really getting close to the main action."

East Stirling lost 2-1 at home to Montrose with Paul Weaver scoring for the Shire after only eight minutes, however substitute Martin Boyle scored within seconds of coming on at half- time to restore parity and Nicky Smith added a second to win it for the Links Park men.

Visiting manager Steven Tweed said: "I was looking for an immediate impact by bringing on two subs at half-time and I got it." Shire coach David Nicholls lamented: "We seem to be giving away really cheap goals and it has to stop."