Second Division: Ayr fall foul of Forfar, four penalties and two referees

WHILE the top three sides all won on Saturday, most of the drama came at Forfar's Station Park where fourth-placed Ayr United went down 4-1, having seen four penalty decisions awarded against them by two different referees.

Stand-in whistler Colin Brown blew the first whistle of the game at ten past three as kick-off and the appearance of scheduled official Craig Charleston were delayed because of travel problems and he gave the first spot-kick 11 minutes later when Scott Allan was fouled.

Ross Campbell netted and that was the only goal in the first half with the now available Charleston taking over from Brown for the second 45 minutes.

Chris Templeman netted from close range just before the hour mark and Charleston started a bizarre 11-minute spell on 68 minutes when he dismissed visiting youngster Ross Robertson for picking up his second yellow card.

On 76 minutes Ayr's Dean Keenan was dismissed for bringing down Martyn Fotheringham in the box, but this time David Crawford was equal to Campbell's effort. A minute later Crawford repeated his feat by saving an Allan penalty awarded after the striker had been fouled by Willie Easton.

A fourth spot-kick was awarded on 79 minutes when Forfar's Campbell was brought down by the visiting Martyn Campbell and this time Crawford was beaten by Fotheringham to make it 3-0.

The nine men got a goal back when Easton netted, but Graham Gibson added a fourth for Forfar.

Brechin City held onto first place following a 3-1 win at East Fife. Scott Durie put East Fife ahead after 14 minutes, but Craig Malloy levelled before half time and David McKenna's brace in the second 45 minutes secured the win.

Livingston sit second after a 4-1 win over Stenhousemuir with all the goals coming in the opening half. Robbie Winters, a Pat Scullion own goal and an Aaron Conway strike had them three ahead before Willie Lyle pulled one back. Iain Russell headed the fourth.

Alloa beat Airdrie United 1-0. Brian Prunty's 33rd-minute header flashed past Mark Ridgers before Jim Lister chested the ball in from very close range. Prunty, however, was awarded the goal. Rhys Devlin and Kieron Stallard were later sent off for Airdrie.

Peterhead beat Dumbarton 1-0 at Balmoor thanks a David Ross goal.