Ayr overtake Raith to go top of League one

Posted Sunday, November 05, 2017 by PA

Ayr went top of the Scottish League One table after thrashing Arbroath 4-1 away from home.

Lawrence Shankland's eighth goal in eight games for Ayr was all that separated the teams at half-time but three goals in five minutes just before the hour saw the game ended as a contest.

David Gold's 53rd-minute own goal doubled Ayr's lead and then quickfire strikes from Shankland and Craig Moore made it 4-0 before Gavin Swankie netted a late consolation for Arbroath.

Ayr's win sees them replace Raith Rovers in top spot on goal difference, with the erstwhile leaders edging past East Fife 1-0 thanks to youngster Lewis Vaughan's first-half effort.

Forfar climbed off the foot of the table after coming out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Albion Rovers.

Forfar, whose only previous win this season came at the start of August, fell behind to an early Alan Trouten penalty but were soon level thanks to Alan Reid's own goal.

Albion regained the lead when Connor Shields struck in the 56th minute but Forfar turned the match on its head with a brace from David Cox and another goal from Josh Peters putting them in charge.

Sean Higgins reduced the gap to 4-3 in stoppage time, but Albion could not find an equaliser as they slumped to a third defeat in four games.

Queen's Park now prop up the standings after they were hammered 3-0 by Stranraer, for whom Grant Anderson and Steven Bell netted before half-time and Ryan Wallace wrapped things up late on.

In Saturday's other game, Craig Malcolm's 41st-minute goal earned Alloa a 1-0 win over Airdrie that lifts them up to third.