Smokies survive Stenny scare

Posted Sunday, September 23, 2018 by PA

Arbroath survived a scare against rock-bottom Stenhousemuir to claim a 2-1 comeback win and extend their lead at the top of Ladbrokes League One to four points.

Struggling Stenny had threatened to end Arbroath’s unbeaten record after taking a 24th-minute lead at Ochilview Park through Mark McGuigan and then holding on to that until past the hour mark.

Their resistance was finally broken in the 62nd minute, though, when Ryan Wallace levelled from the penalty spot and Arbroath went on to snatch an 80th-minute winner through substitute Ryan McCord.

It got even better for Arbroath with results from elsewhere, as second-placed Raith and Airdrie in third both dropped points at home.

Raith fell behind to a first-half Graham Webster goal against second-bottom Montrose and although they levelled through Iain Campbell’s own goal, unbeaten Rovers had to settle for a fourth draw in seven league games.

Airdie also had to fight back to salvage a 1-1 draw of their own, Cameron Russell’s 70th-minute strike cancelling out Brad Spencer’s opener for Dumbarton.

East Fife, the division’s form team, moved up to fourth after beating Stranraer 2-0 for their third successive win, Craig Watson and Rory Currie netting after the break.

Saturday’s other game saw yet another 1-1 draw, this time between Forfar and Brechin.

Visitors Brechin took a 17th-minute lead with Callum Hendry’s first goal for the club, but Forfar hit back through Michael Travis’ header 19 minutes from time.