Cinch Scottish League One: Three Things we Learned as Queen’s Secure Playoff Spot
It was another entertaining week in League One as the season nears completion with three weeks to go…
Last-gasp penalty secures promotion play-off spot for Queen’s to leave Fifers on the brink
20-year old on-loan Celtic midfielder, Luca Connell hit home the spot-kick that secured the remaining promotion play-off spot for Queen’s Park in a narrow 1-0 victory over East Fife at Firhill.
This is the first time that the Spiders will participate in the Championship promotion play-offs, having not competed in the second tier of Scottish football since 1983. It also confirms the Glasgow club’s highest league position in League One since the 2015-16 season, where they finished sixth.
However, for the Fifers, it leaves them teetering on the brink of relegation to League Two. Stevie Crawford’s men have only chalked five league wins all season and are looking likely to end their six-year stint in the third tier.
Next Saturday, Queen’s take the trip up north to face Peterhead, who drew 1-1 at home to Dumbarton, while East Fife welcome Falkirk to Methil.
Queen’s Park, First Team Coach, John Potter: “It wasn’t an easy game, it was a tough and East Fife made it difficult for us, but we still tried to win the game and with a bit of luck and skill, we managed to get up the pitch and luckily got the penalty.”
Cove ease past Falkirk to tighten grip on title as Bairns face fourth season in League One
A brace from Harry Milne in the second-half, ensured Cove Rangers extended their lead at the league summit to five points as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Falkirk.
The victory, which is their 20th of the season, tightens Cove’s grip on the league trophy heading into the last three matches of the season, as they look to secure a third promotion in four years and reach the Championship for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, the defeat and win for Queen’s Park confirmed a fourth consecutive season for Falkirk, after what has been a disasterous season for the Bairns. It was five years ago, in the 2016-17 season, when the club were runners-up in the Championship, which highlights how far they have fallen from grace in the years since. They remain in fifth position, however, are only a point above sixth, courtesy of Alloa Athletic’s 1-0 victory over Clyde.
Next week, Cove welcome Alloa to Aberdeenshire, while Falkirk visit East Fife.
Cove Rangers manager, Paul Hartley: “It was a really strong performance. We spoke to the players at half-time about being patient and we went on to score two really good goals. We are in a good position, but I’ve been involved in this as a player and a manager before and know you cannot get carried away.”
Falkirk Head Coach, Martin Rennie: “Cove are in the position they are because they are a very good team. We do have things to build from and positives to take from this performance going into these last few games. Finishing the season as strongly as possible is what we have to do from this point onward.”
Airdrie and Montrose share the spoils as Diamonds fall further behind in title race
Blair Lyons opened the scoring for the Gable Endies’ in the second minute of the match, before Callum Smith equalised for the Diamonds in the 26th minute. Lyons regained the home side’s lead deep into the second-half, with Calum Gallagher levelling the scoring shortly after in the 73rd minute.
The draw sees the Diamonds fall a further two points behind in the title battle, with Cove stretching their lead at the top to five points, however, it also extends their unbeaten run in the league to 17 matches.
Meanwhile, Montrose remain in third place, six points in front of Queen’s Park with a place in the play-offs already secured.
Next week, Airdrie host ninth-placed Dumbarton at the Penny Cars Stadium, while Montrose visit Clyde in Cumbernauld.
Airdrieonians manager, Ian Murray: “It was a very hard game, entertaining as well, perhaps too much for our liking, against a side who have shown their home form to be really good. In normal circumstances it wouldn’t have been a bad point, but in the situation were in and knowing Cove were winning, we knew we had to win the game and overall, I thought we deserved to win.”
Scottish League One Results:
Alloa Athletic 1-0 Clyde
Dumbarton 1-1 Peterhead
Falkirk 0-2 Cove Rangers
Montrose 2-2 Airdrieonians
Queen’s Park 1-0 East Fife