Scottish League One: Three things we learned as Dunfermline’s unbeaten record grinds to a halt
Let’s look at the three talking points from another dramatic week in Scotland’s third tier…
Wright at the double as Gable Endies’ mark the end of Dunfermline’s dominance
Montrose 2-0 Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline’s long-running status as the only unbeaten team in the SPFL came to an end this weekend after Montrose ran out two-nil winners at Links Park.
Matthew Wright opened the deadlock in the 63rd minute after both teams went down the tunnel in a stalemate at the interval. Any hope for the Pars’ of a last-gasp equaliser quickly evaporated when the on-loan Ross County forward doubled the hosts’ advantage with three minutes remaining.
Despite, racking up their first league defeat and first goals conceded away from home, James McPake’s Pars’ remain league leaders, albeit, only a point in front of second-place FC Edinburgh. Meanwhile, it is four games unbeaten for the Angus side, who leapfrog Falkirk into third and now find themselves four points off the summit.
Montrose manager, Stewart Petrie said: “We are over the moon. We were outstanding with our effort and energy. The first goal was always going to be crucial and what a great finish from Matty [Wright]. I thought we defended brilliantly.”
Dunfermline Athletic manager, James McPake: “I’m disappointed for the players, for the work they’ve put in since we came in the door. It’s the first time, in our main competition, which is the league, I stand here after a defeat. We will look over the footage and see what went wrong and address that. But, I can’t ask any more from that group of players and what they’ve given since day one.”
Late penalty snatches win for Queen’s as pressure mounts on Clyde boss Lennon
Clyde 1-2 Queen of the South
A late penalty from Connor Murray ultimately proved to be the difference as Queen of the South gained back-to-back league victories for the first time this season against Clyde at New Douglas Park.
Ruari Paton opened the scoring for the Doonhamers in the 19th minute as the visitors went into half-time with a slender lead. Ross Cunningham hauled the hosts level on the hour and while it looked likely that the Bully Wee would pick up a much-needed point, Murray slotted home from the penalty spot with six minutes remaining.
Victory for Willie Gibson’s men means they climb up to sixth and after a slow start to the campaign, will hope that gaining two straight wins will enable them to push further up the table.
As for Clyde, a run of nine straight league defeats, the worst in 46 years, further intensifies the pressure on manager Danny Lennon, who is a fortnight away from reaching the milestone of 200 matches in charge.
Clyde manager, Danny Lennon said: “For the effort that the boys put in, I felt for them, they didn’t deserve that today and neither did the fans. As I stand here as Clyde manager, in the five years I’ve been here, it’s certainly the lowest it has been. I know it’s unacceptable, but when you see in some of the games, what this group of players can produce, it puzzles me, in terms of where we find ourselves.”
Queen of the South, player-manager, Willie Gibson: “We came here to win the game and we have. We managed to sneak it with a penalty in the last five minutes and I think that shows that no game in this league is easy. We should’ve been more than a goal up, but then Clyde scored and we had a wobble for about 10-15 minutes. But, full credit to the subs, some aren’t happy that they aren’t starting, but they are challenged to train even harder for when they do come on to make an impact. I think all subs were a factor in getting the win today.”
Kelty victorious in five-goal thriller to stop Falkirk’s home record in its tracks
Falkirk 2-3 Kelty Hearts
Kelty Hearts lifted themselves nine points clear of the bottom two places in the table with a shock three points over Falkirk at The Falkirk Stadium.
A disastrous opening 10 minutes for the hosts allowed Alfredo Agyeman to fire the visitors into a two-goal lead as the Maroon Machine went into the interval comfortably in front.
Juan Alegria pulled a goal back for the stunned Bairns eleven minutes after the re-start, however, in the 66th minute Darren Lyon recovered Kelty’s lead. Rumarn Burrell dragged the hosts back into it with just under 20 minutes remaining, but the league newcomers held on to seal all three points.
It is three wins on the trot for John Potter’s men, who have only lost once in their last five matches and have seemingly left their sluggish early form behind them. Whereas, Falkirk’s unbeaten record on home soil comes to an end. In addition, John McGlynn’s men have suffered their first league defeat in six matches.
Falkirk manager, John McGlynn said: “It felt like the players thought they could turn up and everything would click. It looked to me they thought they could win the game without actually making an impression. We are disappointed with the result, our plan wasn’t to go out like that.”
Kelty Hearts manager, John Potter said: “A tough game. We started very well, Falkirk are a good team and have creative players. We weren’t the best team today, but look, a brilliant result for us and it was well-deserved.”
Results:
FC Edinburgh 3-1 Airdrieonians
Peterhead 0-2 Alloa Athletic
Scottish League One: As It Stands