Diamonds are four-ever, Rovers return victorious from Montrose

Posted Sunday, December 01, 2019 by PA

Airdrie powered on at the top of Ladbrokes League One with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over third-placed East Fife at the Penny Cars Stadium.

The match was as good as over by half-time, with the hosts, chasing a sixth successive win in all competitions, netting three times without reply through in-form leading scorers Calum Gallagher and Dale Carrick.

Gallagher opened the scoring from close range after nine minutes and Carrick struck twice in quick succession just before the break – the first from the penalty spot – to increase Airdrie’s advantage.

Substitute Ally Roy then wrapped things up with Airdrie’s fourth seven minutes from time as East Fife’s unbeaten away record in League One this season came to an emphatic end.

Second-placed Raith remained within a point of the pacesetters but they were made to work much harder for their 1-0 victory over Montrose, with Brad Spencer’s 68th-minute effort the only thing separating the teams.

Falkirk climbed above East Fife into third with a 3-0 home win over rock-bottom Stranraer, with Declan McManus, Michael Doyle and Mark Durnan the men on the scoresheet.

In Saturday’s two other matches, Dumbarton and Forfar claimed 2-1 wins over Clyde and Peterhead respectively.

Chris Johnston had put Clyde in front early on but Dumbarton hit back through strikes from Joe Mckee and Isaac Layne.

Forfar’s victory was secured by Murray MacKintosh’s 69th-minute effort, which came moments after Peterhead veteran Rory McAllister had netted from the spot to cancel out Ross Forbes’ first-half opener.