League One wrap: Dunfermline slip three points behind Ayr

Ayr United may have to concede defeat to Court of the Lord Lyon over the use of their club badge but they made it 14 games without defeat by seeing off 
Airdrie 3-0 at Somerset Park on Saturday.

Andy Geggan netted for Dunfermline. Picture: SNS

The Honest Men, backed by a 1400 crowd which is more than double the attendance when Ian McCall took over in January, took command on 26 minutes when Jordan Preston volleyed home.

It was 2-0 just before the break when Michael Donald hit home a fierce drive from 25 yards and the scoring was completed just after the hour when Alan Trouten netted a penalty.

Airdrie’s frustration was summed up by Chris O’Neil, who picked up a straight red card midway through the second half after a clash with home substitute Robbie Crawford.

McCall said: “That was a terrific performance and the players have done really well since losing on the opening day of the season. Long may it continue.”

Diamonds manager Gary Bollan said: “We did not compete enough in the first half and that cost us.”

The win has opened up a three-point lead as Dunfermline were held 1-1 at Albion Rovers in the first Coatbridge meeting between the sides in more than 30 years. Andy Geggan, pictured, headed the Pars in front with 15 minutes gone but Josh Mullin smashed home a volley off the underside of the bar to equalise five minutes later.

The goal ended Dunfermline goalkeeper Sean Murdoch’s six-game run of shut-outs.

Dunfermline tried to find a winner in the second half but goalkeeper Ross Stewart was equal to everything that was directed towards his goal.

Stenhousemuir moved into third place when they defeated Brechin City 2-1 in a game that will always be remembered as the one where Glebe Park goalkeeper Graeme Smith turned up at the wrong ground. Smith pitched up at Ochilview just after one o’clock only to be reminded that his side were at home and after a mad dash he was able to don his gloves.

Alan Cook gave the Warriors a half-time lead with a well-placed drive but Isaac Layne drilled home an equaliser with 20 minutes left. Colin McMenamin popped up with the winner ten minutes from time after a Jason Scotland free-kick had been blocked, with the hosts losing Willie Dyer to an injury-time red card for dissent.

Peterhead demolished visitors Cowdenbeath 7-0, Leighton McIntosh scoring twice before the break and once after it. Jordan Brown also hit a first-half double, with Rory McAllister and Scott Ferries scoring during the second 45 minutes.

Stranraer and Forfar drew 0-0 at Stair Park.