Annan boost survival hope by thrashing champions Arbroath

Annan kept their Scottish League One survival hopes alive with a stunning 5-1 win over champions Arbroath at Galabank.

Arbroath – who had secured promotion last weekend – took a 17th-minute lead through Billy King.

Paul Smith equalised from a corner in the 31st minute, with Tommy Muir then knocking in the rebound after Willie Gibson’s penalty was saved nine minutes later.

Muir extended the home side’s lead just after the hour and Luca Ross added a late brace before Annan substitute Aaron Brown was sent off late on for two quick yellow cards.

With two matches left, ninth-placed Annan sit a point behind Inverness, who drew 1-1 at Stenhousemuir.

Inverness had looked on course for a crucial win themselves through Billy McKay’s strike early in the second half.

But play-off chasing Stenhousemuir snatched an equaliser in added time from an own goal by Caley midfielder Charlie Gilmour.

Montrose edged towards safety after fighting back to draw 2-2 against already-relegated Dumbarton.

Owen Stirton put the home side ahead in the 21st minute when he slotted in a rebound after his penalty had been saved on to the crossbar.

Carlo Pignatiello equalised shortly before half-time with Tony Wallace then putting Dumbarton ahead from the spot just after the hour – only for Aidan Quinn to level things up again when he headed in from a corner with six minutes left.

Kelty Hearts are just four points clear of the relegation play-off place after losing 3-1 at home to Queen of the South while Alloa drew 1-1 at second-placed Cove Rangers to keep themselves in striking distance of the top four.

East Fife closed the gap at the top of League Two on leaders Peterhead to just a point after a first-half brace from Nathan Austin gave them a 2-0 win over Stirling.

Leaders Peterhead – who had been hoping to make sure of promotion with results this weekend – slumped to a 4-0 defeat at Elgin City.

Early goals from Jack Murray, Russell Dingwall and Ryan Sargent put City in control after just 20 minutes, with substitute Dylan Gavin wrapping things up late on.

At the other end of the table, bottom club Bonnyrigg Rose maintained their slim survival hopes with a 2-0 win at fellow strugglers Forfar.

A first-half penalty from Neil Martyniuk and Cameron Ross’ strike saw Rose move within four points of their hosts in the battle to avoid a relegation play-off.

Third-placed Edinburgh City were beaten 2-0 at Stranraer, who ended a four-game losing streak, and Spartans kept themselves in the play-off race with a 2-0 win over strugglers Clyde.