League Two round-up: Stirling's winning run comes to an end

Forfar Athletic remain a point clear at the summit of League Two after a comprehensive 3-0 victory at form side Stirling Albion. The hosts, who had won their previous six matches, fell behind to the league leaders in the 14th minute through Jim Lister, then doubled their advantage through Danny Denholm, whose second goal early in the second half secured a surprisingly comfortable win. Stirling drop to sixth spot and six points shy of the play-offs.

Jim Lister put Forfar ahead. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS

Second-placed Arbroath kept the pressure up with a thumping 5-2 success at Annan Athletic who played the majority of the 90 minutes with ten men.

Following Steve Swinglehurst’s second-minute dismissal for a lunge, Ryan McCord scored from the free-kick to put Arbroath ahead. Replies by Peter Weatherson and Jordan Stewart gave the hosts an unlikely lead, before Steven Doris fired Arbroath level shortly before half-time and their numerical advantage told as Doris completed a hat-trick either side of Bryan Prunty’s 74th minute strike.

Fourth-placed Elgin City fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with Berwick Rangers. Strikes by Greg Rutherford and Aaron Murrell gave Berwick a two-goal lead, swiftly halved by Elgin’s Thomas Reilly in the 44th minute. But Jonny Fairbairn’s handball resulted in an 82nd minute penalty, converted by the hosts’ Brian Cameron.

Montrose moved to fifth and within four points of the play-offs courtesy of a 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Edinburgh City. Andrew Streeves, Paul Watson and Chris Templeman were on target in a routine afternoon for the Links Park men.

Gary Locke’s Cowdenbeath stay bottom of the table but only by a solitary point after hauling nearest challengers Clyde into danger with a 1-0 win at Central Park. Dale Carrick struck the only goal in the 52nd minute following a blunder by Clyde’s Jordan McMillan.