Third Division: Hartley happy to see Alloa get back to winning ways

LEADERS Alloa bounced back from successive defeats by seeing off Clyde 1-0 at Recreation Park and also learned that second-placed Stranraer had lost 3-2 at Queen’s Park.

Captain Darren Young netted his first goal of the season 14 minutes from time to see the Wasps re-establish an eight-point lead.

Manager Paul Hartley said: “We are back to winning ways with a solid display and are in a good position. I did not get too low after our two defeats, so I will not get too high after this win.”

Third-placed Queen’s Park came from behind twice to beat Stranraer at Hampden, where the Blues broke the deadlock when Craig Malcolm curled home a fine shot over goalkeeper Neil Parry from 20 yards.

The Spiders hit back quickly when David Anderson’s cross was headed in by David Murray. However, the visitors led at half-time when a low Chris Aitken shot deceived Parry.

Murray chipped home a second leveller with just over an hour played, before Stranraer were reduced to ten men when Frank McKeown was dismissed for holding Craig Smith.

Queen’s took advantage to grab a winner with nine minutes remaining when substitute Owen Ronald scored.

Elgin’s fine run of form shot them into fourth place, with Craig Gunn grabbing a hat-trick in their 3-2 success at Montrose.

Gunn turned in a Brian Cameron pass to open the scoring, only for Terry Masson to level with a finely-placed shot. However, Elgin were ahead again by half-time when Gunn ignored appeals for offside to score.

The Gable Endies rallied again, and Martin Boyle bundled in a second-half equaliser, with Gunn taking home the match ball when he scored after a free- kick was diverted into his path with 20 minutes left.

Annan’s slide down the table continued as the one-time leaders fell to fifth following a 3-2 defeat at Peterhead.

The Galabank side led 2-0 at half-time through Aaron Muirhead’s penalty and free-kick, however things turned around in the second period.

Craig Tully pulled a goal back before a double from Martin Bavidge won the points for the Blue Toon, who survived despite striker Rory McAllister being sent off.

East Stirling secured their first away victory of the season when they defeated Berwick 2-0, with Joe Dingwall scoring with a cross-come-shot in the first half and Kevin Turner netting a solo goal in the second.