Second Division: Title favourites Queens start with win over Forfar

Queen of the South were installed as the favourites for the Second Division before a ball was kicked and Allan Johnston’s side are the early leaders following their 2-0 opening-day success over 
Forfar.

Derek Lyle shot the Doonhamers in front 13 minutes from half-time with a fine goal when he picked up a pass from Kevin Holt and cut past his marker to slot home. Nicky Clark hit the post as Queens looked to make it two, with Gavin Reilly finally getting the clinching goal a minute from time when he netted from a tight angle.

Dumfries manager Johnston said: “I thought we handled the physical threat of Forfar very well. I am delighted that we have got the campaign off to a good start.”

Station Park manager Dick Campbell lamented: “We didn’t put their goalkeeper under any pressure at all and I am disappointed with our performance.”

Brechin City were the only other winners at the weekend as they saw off Albion Rovers 1-0 at Glebe Park, with the winner coming courtesy of Andy Jackson, who netted on 15 minutes.

Jim Weir’s side passed up good opportunities to make their success more comfortable, however the Brechin manager said: “It was important to win our first game and we have done that.”

The remaining games all finished 1-1, with Stenhousemuir’s Ross McMillan scoring four minutes into injury time to deny Ayr an opening-day win at Somerset Park. David Winters fired the Honest Men in front before half-time when he ran onto a Michael Moffat pass to net, only for McMillan to head in an Iain Thomson cross late in the day to grab his side a point.

Ayr manager Mark Roberts said: “It is a real sickening feeling to lose a goal so late but our second-half performance was poor.”

Arbroath new boy Darren Gribben scored against one of his many former sides, Stranraer, to ensure a 1-1 draw at Stair Park after Michael Moore had netted a header from a Chris Aitken corner for the Blues.

Alloa’s Third Division flag-raising day was in danger of falling flat when East Fife took the lead through Darren McCormack in the first half. However summer signing Stephen Simmons netted with less than a quarter of an hour remaining to secure a point for Paul Hartley’s side on their return to the Second Division.