Second Divison: Lyle picks perfect time to open Cowdenbeath account

TABLE-toppers Cowdenbeath left it late before defeating Brechin City 1-0 at Central Park to keep their two-point advantage over Arbroath.

The Blue Brazil had been knocking at the door for most of the game, with Gary Fisher, Mark Ramsay and Kenny Adamson all going close. It looked like it would be a blank day until striker Derek Lyle popped up some three minutes into injury-time to divert in a Greg Stewart effort from six yards out.

It was Lyle’s first goal for the Fifers since joining from Hamilton Accies last month and he is unlikely to score a more welcome goal.

Cowdenbeath player/manager Colin Cameron said: “We had been putting a lot of pressure on, but I was thinking it was just not going to be our day. I am really pleased that the players’ desire to keep us at the top kept them going despite some great saves and great defending from Brechin.”

Glebe Park manager Jim Weir said: “It was a really sore goal to lose as the boys battled really well.”

Second-placed Arbroath triumphed 3-1 at Stenhousemuir, with Steven Doris running onto a Brian Kerr pass to score, and Josh Falkingham bagging a fine solo effort to put the Red Lichties two up by half-time. Stewart Kean pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left, and Gary Smith’s header almost produced an equaliser when it hit the inside of the post.

However, Falkingham sealed the win with a free kick that goalkeeper Ally Brown helped on its way in.

Dumbarton defeated visiting bottom side Stirling Albion 4-1 despite falling behind to an early Scott Davidson goal.

Davidson was sent-off for a crude challenge on James Creaney shortly after Ally Graham had equalised two minutes into the second half, with Scott Agnew and Mark Gilhaney’s double consolidating the Sons in third place with a seven-point lead over Stenhousemuir.

Airdrie United saw goal- keeper Grant Adam dismissed in the first half for handling outside the area, and Sean Lynch red-carded in the second as they went down 2-0 to East Fife through Robert Sloan’s penalty and Craig Johnstone’s late goal.

Albion and Forfar remain locked together following their 2-2 draw at Cliftonhill, where Dale Hilson thumped the Loons ahead after three minutes, only for John Gemmell to quickly reply for Rovers.

Chris Templeman hooked Forfar in front midway through the first half, before Robert Love came off the bench to score his fourth goal of the season against Dick Campbell’s side.