Second Division: Cowdenbeath move seven clear as Arbroath crash

A DRAMATIC day in the title race saw Cowdenbeath draw seven points clear at the top as their 4-1 win over Dumbarton coincided with second-place Arbroath crashing to a 2-0 defeat at Airdrie.

Mark McKenzie and Lewis Coult put the home side two up within half an hour before Craig Dargo pulled a goal back for the Sons, but Joe Mbu re-established Cowdenbeath’s two-goal advantage before half-time. McKenzie sealed the win with his second, leaving manager Colin Cameron beaming: “It could not have been a better day as we won and our rivals lost. The ball is now firmly in our court and it does not matter what anyone else does now. It matters what we do.”

It was a fourth defeat in a row for their promotion-seeking visitors. Manager, Alan Adamson, said: “I thought we responded well to being two down at half time, but we could not force a goal to get us back into things.” Second-half goals from Airdrie duo Paul Lovering and Willie McLaren’s left Arbroath manager Paul Sheerin saying: “It is a really big ask to make up seven points, but we will give it everything.”

Airdrie’s win moved them into contention for a play-off spot, but East Fife are also in the hunt after a 3-1 success at Brechin City. The Glebe Park men led through Ewan Moyes, but a Ryan Wallace hat-trick won it for Gordon Durie’s side.

Stenhousemuir now hold fourth place on goal difference only, after losing 2-1 to relegation-threatened visitors Albion Rovers. Andy Rodgers had given the Ochilview men the lead on 25 minutes, but Jack Werndly levelled and Ryan McStay bagged a second-half winner for the Coatbride side.

Forfar eased their relegation worries as they beat Stirling Albion 4-3 thanks to Kevin Byers’ injury-time winner, which sent the Binos back to bottom spot. Martyn Fotheringham, Bradley Coyne and Chris Templeman also scored for the Loons, while Kevin Kelbie and Darren Smith replied for Stirling.