Second Division: Queens continue to reign as Stranraer put to sword

The top versus bottom South West derby encounter at Stair Park went to form as leaders Queen of the South saw off Stranraer 2-0, although the outcome could have been different.

The Blues were given a chance to upset the odds after just four minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Chris Aitken, however, sent the spot-kick wide.

The Doonhamers made the most of their reprieve on 28 minutes when Gavin Reilly turned the ball home from a Derek Young cross and Queens’ seventh league win was secured in the closing stages when Nicky Clark slotted home. Queens manager Allan Johnston said: “Stranraer started really strongly so I would class this as a massive win.”

The Dumfries side are now six points ahead as closest challengers Forfar went down 3-2 to visitors Alloa.

The Loons fell behind on seven minutes when Ryan McCord netted from the spot, however Danny Denholm levelled just two minutes later.

Jason Marr nodded the Wasps ahead by half time with Denholm grabbing a second equaliser 11 minutes from time with a fine curling effort. The winner came on 83 minutes from another corner when Ben Gordon headed home.

Arbroath defeated managerless Brechin City 3-1 at Gayfield with Alex Keddie opening the scoring for the hosts midway through the first half and David McKenna replying early in the second. Goals from Paul Currie and Derek Holmes settled things in favour of the Red Lichties

A spectacular second-half double from John Gemmell and a Stewart Kean strike helped ten man Stenhousemuir recover from sending off of Ross McMillan to defeat visitors East Fife 3-0.

Ayr United’s Michael Moffat scored penalties at the start and the end of their 2-1 success over Albion Rovers, who netted through Steven Haworth.