Second Division: Queens bounce back

Queen of the South bounced back from their first league defeat of the season at Alloa in midweek by securing a 1-0 success over Brechin City at Palmerston and restored their nine-point lead as the Wasps unexpectedly lost 3-2 at Stranraer.

The Doonhamers’ winning goal came after 21 minutes when Daniel Carmichael netted with a low drive.

Queens manager Allan Johnston said: “The players handled the disappointment of losing their unbeaten run well. The guys gave the perfect response.”

The surprise of the day was at Stair Park, where Mick Dunlop put Stranraer ahead just before half-time. Craig Malcolm doubled the lead, Graeme Holmes pulled a goal back and Robert Love made it 3-1 before Robert Thomson netted for Alloa nine minutes from time.

Arbroath’s Derek Holmes struck two minutes into injury time to earn a 1-1 draw at Forfar. On-loan youngster Dale Hilson had given the Loons the lead with 16 minutes to go.

Stenhousemuir sent Albion Rovers into bottom spot thanks to Darren Smith’s goal in their 1-0 success with the Warriors’ Kevin McKinlay and Rovers’ Simon Marriot dismissed.

East Fife’s David White’s day at Ayr began badly when he scored an own goal after just three minutes, but he popped up late on to score the winner in a 3-2 win. Kyle McAusland had doubled Ayr’s advantage, before Scott McBride’s second-half brace, including a penalty, restored parity.