Third Division: Elgin overcome wobble to secure first shot at play-offs

The Borough Briggs side have finished in the bottom half in ten of their 12 seasons in the SFL, but after overcoming a mini-wobble over the past few weeks, Ross Jack’s men can now look forward to a crack at promotion, starting with a two-legged meeting against whoever finishes second bottom of the Second Division – Albion Rovers or Forfar. Craig Gunn and Archie MacPhee had put Elgin in command before Martin Boyle hit Montrose’s consolation.

Jack said: “We have been waiting for this moment for a number of weeks so I am really glad that we have got there. We are not going to sit back and celebrate making the play-offs as I want us to really make our mark by getting over the next hurdle.”

Annan also saw their challenge for a second successive play-off appearance peter out as they crashed 3-0 at home to Peterhead, who also saw their faint hopes of a fourth-place finish dashed. Bryan Deasley scored in the first half before Callum Macdonald and substitute Rory McAllister netted after the break.

Berwick also had their lingering hopes extinguished when they lost 2-1 at bottom side East Stirling. Shire went two up through Lewis Horner and Jordyn Sheerin before Rangers’ Steve Notman was sent off early in the second half. The ten men pulled one back through a Lee Currie penalty after the home side had Ryan Frances sent off but Shire held on for a first win in eight games.

Title winners Alloa drew 1-1 at Clyde, with Stevie May’s early goal for the champions cancelled out by former Wasp Pat Scullion.

Queen’s Park secured second place by beating Stranraer 3-2 in their play-off semi-final dress rehearsal at Stair Park. Jamie Longworth edged the Spiders ahead before Martin Grehan levelled. Longworth netted again and Tony Quinn added a third before Chris Aitken pulled one back with a penalty.