Cinch Scottish League One: Three things we learned on the final day
The curtain closed on another eventful season in Scottish League One this weekend. Most teams can now dust themselves off and look ahead to the new season in July, however, for some, they must now prepare for the play-offs…
Cove come from behind in a thrilling end to an historic season
A brace from Mitch Megginson and a Mark Reynolds strike saw the league champions come from behind to end the season 26 games unbeaten in a five-goal thriller at Bayview.
Danny Denholm opened the scoring for the hosts in the 14th minute, before Kyle Connell doubled their advantage four minutes later.
Megginson then converted a penalty for the visitors just after the half-hour mark, to cut the deficit going into the interval.
The striker then equalised for the Toonsers’ shortly after the break, with Reynolds completing the scoring in the 62nd minute.
The victory ensures a positive end to an historic season for Paul Hartley’s men, who will be playing Championship football for the first time in their 100-year history.
The nature of the defeat will be a tough pill to swallow for the relegated Fifers, who will look to return to the third tier for the first time of asking next season.
East Fife manager, Stevie Crawford: “I’ll be speaking to boys who are out of contract early next week. There will be boys who move on and boys who get contracts offered to them. “It’s about taking in all these conversations you have with people to help make East Fife better.”
Cove Rangers manager, Paul Hartley: “I can’t thank the players and staff for their commitment in what has been a brilliant season. We will re-charge, refresh and go again.”
Alloa hit four past Montrose to finish season on a high
Goals from Euan Henderson in the 26th, 47th, 49th and 66th minute cancelled out Graham Webster’s spot-kick as Alloa ended the season on a high with an emphatic victory over Montrose at the Indodrill.
Victory for the Wasps, coupled with Falkirk’s 1-1 draw away to Queen’s Park, sees them leapfrog the Bairns and finish the season in fifth position.
It also ends the week on a positive note for the hosts, after manager Brian Rice signed a two-year contract extension with the club on Friday. The former Hamilton boss only replaced Barry Ferguson in February, and will be tasked with returning the club to the Championship next season.
Meanwhile, defeat for the visitors sees them end the season on a low note as they prepare for the promotion play-offs for the third time in four seasons.
Stewart Petrie’s men will welcome Airdrie to Links Parks in the first leg on Tuesday night, with the return fixture on Saturday.
Alloa Athletic manager, Brian Rice: “Outstanding. Absoluetly outstanding. To play 70 minutes with 10 men and from one goal down, I can’t ask any more than that.”
Airdrie share the spoils with Peterhead as Diamonds set new record
An own goal from Simon Ferry on the hour-mark cancelled out Grant Savoury’s opener on the stroke of half-time, as Airdrie set a new club record of 20 games unbeaten with a 1-1 draw against Peterhead at the Excelsior Stadium.
The draw for the Blue Toon will have them pondering what could’ve been, as a win would’ve seen them finish fifth on goal difference and equal their highest finish in the third tier since 2010. It also sees Jim McInally’s men end the season unbeaten in six.
However, for the Diamonds, it has them in fine form going into the promotion-play offs, as they seek a return to the Championship for the first time since 2013.
They will face Montrose over two legs, the first on Tuesday night, with the reverse fixture on Saturday. The winners will play either Queen’s Park or Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in the final, for a place in next season’s second tier.
Airdrieonians manager, Ian Murray: “The result is all that matters. We kind of felt we had it, because the previous record was over two seasons, but it's a great record, to beat the one from Sandy Stewart's title-winning side [in 2004].
“To surpass the record is satisfying for this group of players, for myself and the staff, and also the football club.”
Elsewhere, Dumbarton headed into the relegation play-offs with a 2-1 victory over Clyde at the Rock. Stevie Farrell’s Sons’ will travel to Ainslie Park to face League Two side Edinburgh City on Tuesday night with the return leg on Saturday. The winner will play either Annan Athletic or Forfar Athletic in the final, for a place in League One next season.
Scottish League One Results:
Airdrieonians 1-1 Peterhead
Alloa Athletic 4-1 Montrose
Dumbarton 2-1 Clyde
East Fife 2-3 Cove Rangers
Queen’s Park 1-1 Falkirk