Third Division: Arbroath clinch title for first national trophy

Arbroath will need to find a place in the boardroom at Gayfield for a piece of silverware for the very first time in their 133 year history after Saturday's 4-1 defeat of local rivals Montrose saw Paul Sheerin's men crowned Third Division Champions.

Sheerin's side are the first Red Lichties side to win a national trophy and they did it in style, by seeing off their Angus neighbours in front of over 1,200 fans.

The early goal that teams ache for to settle nerves in key games such as this was delivered for Arbroath by Steven Doris after only four minutes. Doris netted from the penalty spot at the second attempt after strike partner Gavin Swankie had been fouled.

Doris' first attempt was ruled out after encroachment and he added to the sense of drama at Gayfield by sending his second effort home via a post and a trundle over the line.

Montrose almost drew level with a Sean Crichton effort, but Arbroath edged further ahead just before half-time. Sheerin's summer signing from his old club St Johnstone, Josh Falkingham, chipped Ramiro Gonzalez to have the Arbroath fans cheering as the sides trooped off after the first 45 minutes.

It was three just after the hour mark when player/manager Sheerin got in on the act with a superb lob over Gonzalez, although former player Terry Masson turned down the volume briefly with a fine strike to grab Montrose a goal.

Adam Strachan made it four just as news of Queen's Park's winner at Hampden was coming through to get the party started.

Sheerin, in his first year of management, beamed afterwards: "The guys have achieved their own piece of history by being the first squad ever to win anything for Arbroath and that will make them go down in folklore here.

"There are people at the club that have worked behind the scenes for 20 or 30 years and whilst this is a great honour for me personally, and for the players as a group, I am really pleased for these people. To finally see Arbroath win something must be a great feeling for them."

Albion Rovers also had a first in their grasp as they entered injury time against Queen's Park at Hampden with the scores tied at 1-1 - and it looked like they would not only make their initial bow into the play-offs but would also delay Arbroath's title party as Robert Love burst through on goal in injury time.

But the striker blazed over and, to rub salt into the wound further, home substitute Ian Watt then cut in from the right wing, slalomed through the visiting defence and sent a shot high past Derek Gaston to earn Queen's a 2-1 success.

Stranraer and Annan continue to hold play-off berths after their 1-1 draw at Stair Park.Berwick missed out on improving their play-off spot chances by drawing 1-1 at home to Clyde, while East Stirling responded positively to their midweek defeat by defeating Elgin City 2-1 at Ochilview.

Stephen Maguire netted for the Shire after 31 minutes, Jason Crooks equalised just before half-time, and then David Dunn hit the winner five minutes from the end.