Scottish League One: Three things we learned
Let’s look at the talking points from Scotland’s third tier as the top three teams earned victories in their quest for promotion…
Falkirk maintain their title chase as Diamonds suffer a blow to play-off hopes
Airdrieonians 1-3 Falkirk
Falkirk extended their unbeaten league run to 11 matches as they remain five points adrift of Dunfermline in the title race with victory over Airdrie at the Excelsior Stadium.
Callum Gallagher opened the scoring for the Diamonds after 10 minutes on the clock and looked to have the upper hand going into half time, however, Gary Oliver prodded home the equaliser a minute before the interval.
The home side were left to rue a golden opportunity to regain control of the match with a missed penalty in the dying seconds of half time.
Kai Kennedy brought the visitors in front inside the 55th minute, before securing his brace and the Bairn’s third with just under 20 minutes of normal time remaining
There is no underestimating the magnitude of the win for John McGlynn’s men, who last tasted league defeat in November as they continue their push for automatic promotion, while creating a nine-point gap between themselves and third place Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, defeat marks a dent in the Diamonds’ promotion hopes as they slip to fifth, however, they are only two points below fourth place Alloa. In what was viewed as a pivotal month for the North Lanarkshire side, they have only gathered four of the last 12 points on offer, which could be the difference in whether they secure a promotion play-off place come May.
Airdrieonians player-manager, Rhys McCabe said: “Obviously disappointed. I don’t think we played particularly well throughout the game, but we still had good chances in big moments and if we did better in those moments, it could’ve been a different outcome.”
Falkirk manager, John McGlynn said: “It was a very big win and it was a hard place to come. Airdrie are a really good team and it was a competitive game, as you would expect. Airdrie are a really good football team, but I thought we showed that we are also a good football team and I’m delighted with our players for their attitude and determination.”
Edinburgh return to winning ways with a comfortable win over 10-men Clyde
Edinburgh 3-0 Clyde
Goals from Lee Hamilton, Steven Warnock and John Robertson meant Edinburgh arrested a five match winless run as they eased to victory over Clyde at Meadowbank.
It looked likely that both teams would enter the break in a stalemate, but Hamilton struck home the opening goal for the Citizens on the stroke of half time.
Warnock then doubled the hosts’ advantage six minutes into the second period, before Robertson put the three points beyond doubt in the 70th minute. Kurtis Roberts was issued a straight red after 66 minutes in what was a difficult afternoon for the visitors.
The victory for the capital side hauls themselves back into promotion contention as they earn their first league win since New Year and continue to defy the odds in their maiden season as a League One club.
Whereas, any optimism has dissipated for the Bully Wee, who failed to build on last weekend’s first league win since August and with Peterhead’s draw against Kelty Hearts, they are only two points clear of the Blue Toon in the relegation battle.
Edinburgh manager, Alan Maybury said: “I thought we were excellent, right from the start, we crossed the ball well and played with good tempo. There were a few things we tried to change in midweek after the Montrose game in terms of organisation and we were in a much better platform to win the game.”
Clyde manager, Jim Duffy said: “I thought first half, we played well up until the final third, which has been prominent all season where final decisions and final balls haven’t been good enough. We controlled most of the game and then a lapse of concentration just before half time cost us a goal. In the second half, we didn’t start the game at all and allowed Edinburgh to take control.”
Dunfermline remain firmly in the driving seat as they get the better of Queen’s
Queen of the South 0-2 Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline maintained their five-point lead at the top of the table with a routine win over Queen of the South in Dumfries.
Craig Wighton broke the deadlock with 22 minutes on the clock and Josh Todd slotted in a freak own-goal two minutes into the second half, which ultimately proved enough for the visitors to seal the three points.
The win for the Pars preserves their position as league leaders and extends their unbeaten run to 13 league matches as they remain on track for an immediate return to the Scottish Championship.
However, the result means the Palmerston side have suffered consecutive league defeats for the first time since October as a lack of consistency continues to plague their season. The defeat also sees the Doonhamers fall to eighth and 10 points below fourth spot, weaking their outside chance of reaching the promotion play-offs.
Queen of the South manager, Marvin Bartley said: “We conceded the first goal, which was more than avoidable, we know that’s the style of play they [Dunfermline] use and we tactically looked at it in training, so that’s frustrating. It’s disappointing that we lost the game, but there are positives to take in some performances.”
Dunfermline Athletic manager, James McPake said: “Delighted, for the effort and work rate that these lads put in, it was worthy of that travelling support and we were more than deserving of the three points.”
Results:
Alloa Athletic 1-0 Montrose
Peterhead 1-1 Kelty Hearts
Scottish League One Table: As It Stands