Watson winner keeps Montrose in play-off frame

THE race for play-off places in the Third Division heated up on a very cold day as Montrose struck in the last minute for a 2-1 win at East Stirlingshire to move into third.

Meanwhile, Peterhead won 2-0 away to Berwick Rangers to move to within two points of the fourth-placed Borderers.

The Gable Endies had an early scare at Ochilview when a wind-assisted Andy Stirling corner hit the bar before they took the lead on 31 minutes when Paul Watson curled the ball home from a free kick.

Max Wright levelled in fine style from 30 yards out just before the break and a draw looked on the cards until Watson volleyed in an injury-time winner from 30 yards out.

The excitement was too much for team-mate Paul Lunan who was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the afternoon for celebrating with his supporters.

Links Park boss Stuart Garden said: “It was two stunning strikes from Paul and I am delighted that we managed to get the win as the extra two points could be crucial. We came here after a couple of heavy defeats, so I am really pleased to get the win.”

Shire head coach John Coughlin said: “I thought we had stopped our recent poor run. To lose it at the end really hurt.”

Berwick’s fine run of six unbeaten games in a row came to an end as second-half goals by Ryan McCann and Rory McAllister earned Jim McInally’s Blue Toon a 2-0 success.

McCann opened the scoring five minutes into the second half when he shot home after a David Cox corner had been cleared off the line by Berwick’s Devon Jacobs. Goal-grabber Rory McAllister sealed the win with a neat turn and shot with six minutes remaining.

The games at Annan and Elgin were called off due to the freezing weather.