Abandonment slows Raith as Ayr run riot

Posted Sunday, October 22, 2017 by PA

Raith saw their lead at the top of Scottish League One reduced to two points as their match with Stranraer was abandoned at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.

The leaders went behind to the league's top scorer Lewis Vaughan's early free-kick before Scott Agnew levelled after 36 minutes, but the 1-1 scoreline will not count as further inspections deemed the Stair Park pitch unplayable after the break.

Michael Moffat claimed a hat-trick as second-placed Ayr closed the gap at the top with a comfortable 5-0 victory over bottom side Forfar.

The Ayr striker opened the scoring following a fast break after 15 minutes before Lawrence Shankland (52) fired David Ferguson's pass into the bottom corner to double their lead.

Moffat struck again after 64 minutes and completed his treble nine minutes from time, while Craig Moore made it five, thanks to another assist from Declan McDaid.

Ryan McCord and Danny Denholm scored twice each as Arbroath struck back in style to record a 7-1 thrashing of Airdrieonians at Gayfield Park.

A 12th-minute penalty from Ryan Conroy put the visitors ahead before Gavin Swankie (18) levelled from the left of six-yard box and McCord's spot-kick after 27 minutes turned the game in the hosts' favour.

Denholm struck either side of Bobby Linn's 36th-minute effort, while Kane Hester added a sixth with eight minutes left and McCord picked out the top-right corner from a difficult angle to complete the scoring at the death as Arbroath moved up to third.

Alloa also overcame an early setback as they saw off East Fife 4-1 at Indodrill Stadium.

The Fifers took an eighth-minute lead through Kyle Wilkie but Paul Crossan (25) and Steven Hetherington (45) saw the hosts go into the break in front.

Hetherington turned provider on the hour mark as he set up Andy Graham (60) to fire home their third and Iain Flannigan added the gloss with 15 minutes remaining.

Elsewhere, Queen's Park won 1-0 away to Albion Rovers after Thomas Orr slotted home from Anton Brady's corner three minutes after the break. Albion had Daniel Lightbody sent off in the closing stages.