League Two wrap: Annan stay top despite defeat

Annan Athletic stay top of League Two despite slipping to a 1-0 loss at Stirling Albion, who climb into the top half as a result.

Darren Lavery netted as Berwick leapt off the bottom of the table. Picture: Stuart Cobley

Stirling were the better side in an opening period of limited opportunities, with Steven Doris heading against Annan woodwork as the half drew to a close.

Hat-trick hero last week, Darren Smith, turned supplier this week as he teed up Phil Johnston for a deserved Albion winner in the 77th minute.

Annan mustered few openings in response and have had their lead cut to two points at the summit.

Second-placed Queen’s Park failed to capitalise, managing only a 0-0 draw against fourth-placed Elgin City at Borough Briggs.

In blustery conditions, neither side did enough to merit the three points, with Elgin’s normally deadly Craig Gunn passing up a rare opening in the closing stages, heading wide of target from a promising position.

Promotion hopefuls Clyde remain third after falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Arbroath at Broadwood.

Chris Smith spurned two decent chances for Clyde, while the visitors’ Greg Rutherford fired wide towards the end of the half.

With seven minutes left, Kane Hester blasted Arbroath into the lead with an unstoppable finish and Hester then turned provider for an unamed trialist to add a second.

Once considered a genuine title threat, East Fife dropped into the bottom half after a 1-1 draw with Montrose.

Hibs loanee Jamie Insall tucked home Nathan Austin’s through ball to give the Fifers a 35th minute breakthrough, only for Gary Fraser to lash home Montrose’s leveller from six yards before half-time.

Berwick Rangers leapt off the bottom of the table by romping to a 4-0 win at East Stirlingshire who replace the Borderers at the foot.

Michael McKenna cut back for Finn Graham to open the scoring in the 26th minute and Graham soon doubled his tally with a long-range strike.

After the interval, Dwayne Coultress diverted a David Morris shot to notch Berwick’s third before Darren Lavery, pictured, completed the rout with a fine headed finish in the 
closing stages.