Shankland hits hat-trick as Championship leaders Ayr ease past Queen’s Park

Posted Sunday, March 25, 2018 by PA

Lawrence Shankland’s first-half hat-trick powered Ladbrokes League One leaders Ayr to a 4-0 win over Queen’s Park to maintain their lead over Raith Rovers.

The in-form striker bagged a 10th-minute opener for the leaders and scored his second from Declan McDaid’s long pass.

A neat finish on the turn gave him his hat-trick before the break and in a quieter second half, Craig Moore made it four from a penalty after Craig McGuffie was fouled.

Raith were 2-1 winners at Airdrieonians, with all the goals coming in the first half.

Lewis Vaughan gave Raith an early lead and it was 2-0 after 20 minutes as Jason Thomson headed in Willis Furtado’s corner. Scott Stewart pulled one back on the stroke of half-time but there was no further scoring after the interval.

Alloa strengthened their hold on a play-off spot with a 3-1 win at Albion Rovers.

Steven Hetherington and Jordan Kirkpatrick gave them a 2-0 lead and – though Joao Victoria pulled one back – Hetherington struck again late on.

A stunning Stranraer comeback saw them win 3-2 at Arbroath.

The hosts wasted no time opening the scoring as Omar Kader punished Morgyn Neill’s error, and Gavin Swankie made it 2-0 in just the 12th minute.

It remained that way until the final quarter but two goals in five minutes from Stephen Okoh and Grant Anderson drew Stranraer level and they grabbed all three points with Scott Agnew’s late penalty.

Forfar beat East Fife 2-0 with goals from Dylan Easton in the ninth minute and Dale Hilson in the 69th.