Queen's Park brush aside Shire, while Forfar hold Annan

EAST Stirlingshire's recent poor form was in evidence again as Queen's Park travelled to Ochilview and came back with a 3-0 win with all their goals coming in a 14-minute first-half spell.

Second-placed Shire have now lost three games in a row to leave leaders Livingston with a seven-point advantage, however the Hampden side are beginning to emerge as dark horses in the promotion race.

Queen's Park took the lead when Jack Henry crossed from the right and David Murray turned the ball home at the far post after 14 minutes. Michael Daly knocked in a second for the Spiders ten minutes later, and the striker made it three on 28 minutes when he netted from close range to move Queen's within three points of fourth placed Berwick.

Annan's hopes of heading towards an end of season play-off place took an early knock against Forfar, however Harry Cairney's men hit back to claim a point in a 1-1 draw at Galabank.

Striker Ian Harty put Forfar ahead after four minutes when he capitalised on good work by Kevin Fotheringham to score, but

Graeme Bell netted for the second game in a row when he fired in a long range shot after a free kick had been placed in his path.

Montrose player-manager Steven Tweed recalled himself to the Links Park side's starting line up against Albion Rovers and the change appeared to work as his defence kept a clean sheet against Albion Rovers in a goalless draw. Tweed's men played out the last three minutes with ten men after youngster Daryl Nicol was dismissed for a second caution.