Second Division: Cowdenbeath held on home patch

JOINT leaders Cowdenbeath and Arbroath were held to draws at the weekend to see their advantages reduced to six points.

The Blue Brazil played out a goalless encounter with Dumbarton, and the Red Lichties shared six goals equally away at Airdrie United to leave the Fife side league leaders on goal difference.

Cowdenbeath were looking for a seventh Central Park win in a row. However, they could not find a way past a Sons side determined to make up for a 4-0 defeat at their own patch.

Both sides were also hampered by strong wind during the game.

At Airdrie, Gavin Swankie gave the Red Lichties a second-minute lead, only for Paul Lovering to quickly level from the penalty spot after a Mark Baxter handball.

Steven Doris nudged Arbroath ahead before the break with a spot-kick after handball in the home defence from Kevin Green, and Josh Falkingham doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half when he drove home a Swankie cut-back. Airdrie refused to lie down, and Ryan Donnelly headed home with 21 minutes left to give the Diamonds hope before netting again three minutes later to grab a point.

Stenhousemuir consolidated their third place when they saw off Albion Rovers thanks to second-half goals from Stewart Kean and Andy Rodgers, who hit a double.

East Fife returned to winning ways after two defeats with a 2-0 success at Brechin City.

Bobby Linn opened the scoring after 30 seconds thanks to a David McClune error, with Robert Ogleby adding a second.