Ayr close on promotion

Posted Sunday, April 08, 2018 by PA

Leaders Ayr extended their advantage at the top of the Ladbrokes League 1 table to five points after coming from behind to beat Airdrieonians 2-1.

Ayr found themselves 1-0 down after 10 minutes when Airdrieonians striker Dale Carrick headed in from Luke Watt’s free-kick.

But the visitors levelled things up eight minutes before the break courtesy of Robbie Crawford before the division’s leading scorer Lawrence Shankland won it for them in the 70th minute.

Airdrieonians’ Luke Watt was dismissed in stoppage time after picking up a second yellow card.

Ayr’s nearest challengers Raith Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw at Arbroath.

Raith striker Liam Buchanan opened the scoring from the penalty spot six minutes before the break after he was fouled in the box.

But Leighton McIntosh pulled Arbroath level with 16 minutes to go to earn his side a share of the spoils.

Stranraer kept their play-off hopes alive as Morgyn Neill scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Alloa.

At the other end of the table, eighth-place Forfar beat Albion 1-0 courtesy of Josh Peters’ injury-time effort.

Queen’s Park remain bottom after losing 3-2 to East Fife in a topsy-turvy encounter which saw the hosts come from 2-0 down to level things up before being denied late on.