Stranraer and Brechin enhance survival hopes

Posted Sunday, March 24, 2019 by PA

Stranraer and Brechin boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation from Ladbrokes League One with impressive performances.

Despite the first-half dismissal of goalkeeper Max Currie, Stranraer produced a gutsy second-half display to earn a goalless draw at home to leaders Arbroath.

Bobby Linn, with 23 goals this season, came close to putting Arbroath in front when his effort hit the post after 30 minutes before the home side were reduced to 10 men just before half-time.

Currie was shown the red card, his second of the season, for violent conduct when he clashed with Arbroath’s Michael McKenna.

It meant a league debut for 21-year-old Lyle Avci, who made a terrific save to deny David Gold after the break.

Innes Cameron nearly won it for Stranraer when he was put through on goal with 20 minutes remaining but Arbroath keeper Darren Jamieson did well to push his effort away.

Brechin, who are now unbeaten in four, remain second-bottom but are just two points behind Stranraer after they won 2-0 at fourth-placed East Fife.

City led 1-0 at the break courtesy of Dougie Hill’s 33rd-minute effort before Ross Kavanagh doubled their advantage just after the hour mark.

Kevin Nisbet took his tally to 27 goals for the season as Raith climbed into second place after returning to winning ways in emphatic fashion by beating Dumbarton 4-1 at home.

Ross Matthews and Liam Buchanan put Rovers 2-0 ahead inside 26 minutes before Calum Gallagher reduced the deficit for the Sons, who went into the game unbeaten in seven.

Nisbet struck on the stroke of half-time and then added his second 10 minutes after the break.

Raith took advantage of Forfar’s 1-0 loss at Airdrieonians, with Kyle Wilkie netting the winner just before the break – only the Loons’ second defeat in 12 in the league.

Goals from Terry Masson and Martin Rennie helped Montrose end a three-game losing run as they beaten bottom-of-the-table Stenhousemuir 2-0.