Ayr's lead cut to five points as Raith rise to see off Arbroath

Posted Sunday, December 24, 2017 by PA

Raith Rovers cut Ayr's lead at the top of Ladbrokes League One to five points thanks to a 2-1 win away to Arbroath.

The Kirkcaldy side have been flawless at home - winning eight from eight - and recorded a third victory on the road.

Greig Spence's fourth goal in as many games put Rovers in front (19) and Liam Buchanan doubled their lead 13 minutes later before Ross Matthews' own goal gave Arbroath hope.

Ayr had won eight league matches in a row prior to their match at Airdrieonians but slipped to a 2-0 defeat at the Excelsior Stadium.

The home side took a fourth-minute lead through Cameron Russell and the match was taken beyond Ayr by David Brownlie's goal in the 26th minute.

Queen's Park leapfrogged Forfar and climbed off the bottom of the table with a 3-0 win over them at Station Park.

Adam Cummins' second-minute goal gave the visitors the perfect start and Robbie Leitch made it two with two minutes of the first half remaining.

Dominic Docherty's injury-time effort made it 3-0, and handed Queen's Park just their fourth win of the season.

In the day's other games, Albion Rovers ended a run of seven winless matches by beating East Fife 3-2, with Alan Trouten scoring his 14th league goal of the season.

Alloa climbed above Stranraer into third by beating them 1-0 at Recreation Park as Ross Stewart scored the only goal in the 58th minute.