Third division roundup: Rampant Alloa seal title with eight-goal mauling

ALLOA wrap up the title, Spiders put 5 past East Stirlingshire plus the rest of the Division three action

Alloa Athletic 8, Elgin City 1

Alloa wrapped up the Third Division title with an 8-1 victory over Elgin City at Recreation Park. Coupled with Clyde’s win over Stranraer, Paul Hartley’s men have an unassailable 14-point lead.

The writing was on the wall for Elgin 16 minutes in when goalkeeper Zander Clark was sent off for bringing down Stevie May outside the area. Mark Nicolson turned the ball into his own net to give Alloa a 30th-minute lead and it was 2-0 at the break when May got his first of the afternoon.

May, on loan from St Johnstone, got his second just after the interval and Robbie Winters made it 4-0 in 49 minutes. Paul Miller did manage to pull one back for beleaguered Elgin, but Alloa were far from finished. May completed his hat-trick in 65 minutes and also got a fourth ten minutes later. Ryan McCord and Craig Campbell added two more in the last ten minutes to record the biggest league victory in Scotland this season.

Alloa boss Paul Hartley, in his first season as a manager, said: “The guys have played well all year and only four defeats in the league all season shows that. I am delighted with the support of the backroom staff, chairman, players and fans and we will all enjoy this week. I am also grateful that both the young and the older guys that had not won anything before now have this experience.”

Queen’s Park 5, East Stirlingshire 1

Top scorer Jamie Longworth broke the deadlock in 32 minutes, but there was no more scoring until Anthony Quinn notched a quick double after the restart. Sean Burns made it 4-1 midway through the half.

Martin McBride completed the scoring from the spot.

Annan Athletic 1, Berwick Rangers 1

Aaron Muirhead gave the home side the lead from the spot midway through the first half.

Although Berwick were reduced to ten men just after the break when Chris Townsley saw red, Jordan Forster grabbed an equaliser for a draw that did not suit either side.

Clyde 2, Stanraer 1

Michael Moore’s close-range header after six minutes looked to have maintained the visitors’ faint automatic promotion hopes.

Kieran Brannan got Clyde level in the second half and Zakaria Belkouche completed the scoring to give Clyde their first win in 11 matches.

Peterhead 2, Montrose 1

Rory McAllister’s double did the damage as Peterhead beat Montrose 2-1 at Balmoor. David Donald crossed for McAllister to head home his 17th of the season after nine minutes.

John Crawford got Montrose level after the restart but McAllister’s second of the day proved decisive.