Peterhead to face Stenhousemuir in League One play-off final

Posted Sunday, May 06, 2018 by PA

Peterhead will take on Stenhousemuir in the Ladbrokes League One play-off final following a 3-0 win over Stirling at Balmoor.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Jim McInally’s side made it eight wins in a row thanks to goals from Mason Robertson, Rory McAllister and Jason Brown.

Stirling keeper Cammy Binnie denied Jack Leith, McAllister twice and Scott Brown but was finally beaten in the 38th minute when Robertson, the scorer of the only goal in the first leg, headed in Willie Gibson’s corner via the bar.

Ross Kavanagh fired over a great chance for Stirling just before the break and they were made to pay when McAllister finished with a low drive in the 57th minute for his 32nd goal of the season.

Brown extended Peterhead’s lead in the 65th minute, converting Aidan McIlduff’s cross.

They will now meet Stenhousemuir, who beat Queen’s Park 2-1 at Hampden Park to secure a 3-2 aggregate win.

Martin Scott headed an early chance wide for the visitors while Aidan Keena struck the bar from fully 35 yards for the Spiders before Luke Donnelly saw his effort cleared off the line by Ross Meechan.

But Stenhousemuir went in front in the 17th minute when Mark McGuigan nodded home a cross by Ruaridh Donaldson from close range for his 22nd goal of the season.

Queen’s Park levelled four minutes before the break with Gerry McLaughlan producing a diving header from Ross Millen’s free-kick for his first goal for the club.

McGuigan restored Stenhousemuir’s lead with nine minutes remaining, slotting past Michael White following Harrison Paton’s fine through-ball, which was enough to advance to the final and relegate Queen’s Park.