Third Division: May has his day as Alloa climb back to the top

It MAY have been the New Year game for Alloa but it was also a May Day for the Wasps as they ensured that Stranraer’s stay at the top of the table was a brief one when they defeated hosts East Stirling 3-1.

The Recreation Park side had been dislodged as league leaders on Hogmanay when the Stair Park men defeated Annan 4-2. But a hat-trick from on-loan St Johnstone youngster Stephen May saw Paul Hartley’s side reclaim the lead.

May nodded home Mark Docherty’s in-swinging corner in the second minute, but that lead was quickly lost when Shire’s Stuart Beveridge sent a long clearance goalward and found the net after goalkeeper Scott Bain was beaten by a bounce.

May netted quickly again at the start of the second half with a shot from distance and he completed his treble with another long-range strike 18 minutes from time.

Queen’s Park kept up their recent dominance of Clyde to record a 2-1 success at Broadwood, with striker Jamie Longworth taking advantage of a mistake in the home defence to shoot home after only six minutes.

The Bully Wee had John Sweeney dismissed just before half-time for an off-the-ball incident, but they pulled level right on the whistle when Jordan White turned home Kris Irvine’s cross.

Substitute Michael Daly met a David Murray cross with a fierce header to win the game for the Spiders with just 13 minutes remaining.

Berwick Rangers and Montrose drew 2-2 at Shielfield with both side’s enjoying being ahead during the game.

Kevin McDonald fired over a cross for Michael Deland to ram the ball home from six yards to put the Borderers in front after 15 minutes, but the Gable Endies drew level just seconds into the second half.

David McGowan picked out striking partner Scott Johnston and he fired low into the bottom corner.

Then youngster Martin Boyle put Montrose in front before an hour had been played with a 12-yard shot.

But David Greenhill tied the scores four minutes later and Darren Gribben was denied a Berwick winner by the bar before the end.

Peterhead earned their best win of the season as they defeated the ten men of visiting Elgin 3-0.

The Borough Briggs side lost goalkeeper Zander Clark to a red card after only 20 minutes when he fouled Rory McAllister who promptly netted from the spot. Graeme Sharp doubled the lead at the end of the first half with a fine drive, and a header from Scott Ross on 72 minutes sealed the win.