Craig Moore and Lawrence Shankland continue fine form in Ayr's win at East Fife

Posted Sunday, December 17, 2017 by PA

Craig Moore and Lawrence Shankland were again on the scoresheet as in-form Ayr United powered on at the top of Ladbrokes League One with a 4-1 win at East Fife.

The home side held a surprise half-time lead thanks to Chris Duggan's strike but Ayr hit back after the break to record an 11th win during a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Michael Rose struck twice to put Ayr in front before Moore and Shankland both took their season tallies to 12 in the league with late strikes, leaving the pair as the joint leading scorers in the division.

United's win leaves them eight points clear at the summit after second-placed Raith's home match with Albion was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The clash between Alloa and Arbroath also fell victim to the icy conditions, allowing Stranraer to leapfrog both clubs and move into third place with a 3-0 home triumph over Forfar.

All three goals came in the second half with Ryan Wallace breaking the deadlock through a 56th-minute penalty - having seen team-mate Jamie Hamill miss from the spot in the ninth minute - before Angus Beith wrapped up the win with a brace in the final six minutes.

In Saturday's other match, last-placed Queen's Park drew 1-1 with Airdrie. Luke Watt put visiting Airdrie ahead in the 10th minute after Luke Donnelly had spurned an early penalty for the hosts, but Adam Cummins' 38th-minute equaliser earned Queens a point.