Forfar close gap in race for play-offs

THE race involving the three Angus clubs for the last two promotion play-off places in the Second Division became tighter last night as Forfar beat Brechin City 4-3 at Glebe Park to move two points clear of Arbroath in fourth and three points behind their third-placed hosts.

Forfar were two up at half-time thanks to Dale Hilson’s shot in 12 minutes and Michael Bolochoweckyj’s header 21 minutes later, with Gavin Malin’s right-foot finish making it three, within 90 seconds of the second half starting.

But it turned out not be so easy as Brechin roared back with Graham Hay and Alan Trouten netting to set up an exciting last quarter of an hour in which Gavin Swankie scored a fourth for Forfar and Trouten pulled another goal back for Brechin.

Stranraer were within seconds of taking a huge step towards safety and plunging hosts East Fife into severe relegation trouble until a last-gasp Scott McBride penalty rescued a point for Billy Brown’s side in a 1-1 draw.

Darren Gribben got the last touch to a corner on 62 minutes to edge the Blues in front and they looked all set to move eight points clear in eighth place until McBride secured the point the Fifers deserved from the penalty spot after Frank McKeown pulled the legs from substitute Liam Gormley.

There is one Third Division match taking place tonight, with Annan taking on Queen’s Park at Galabank. Defender Stephen Swinglehurst is a doubt for the hosts after picking up a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Elgin, while Queen’s Park must do without Jamie Brough and Giuseppe Capuano.