Third Division: Red mist descends on leading pair

THE clash of the top two between Stenhousemuir and Dumbarton ended all square at Ochilview at 1-1 after both sides had men sent off in the opening 13 minutes.

Kevin Motion was dismissed for the home side after only four minutes for a reckless challenge on Andy Geggan, but numbers were soon even as Gary Wilson chopped down Iain Thomson. Andy Brand opened the scoring from 25 yards on 61 minutes, but Dumbarton equalised eight minutes from time through Steven Murray's deflected effort.

Stenhousemuir maintain a two-point lead at the top and manager John Coughlin said: "This feels like a loss. Our keeper did not have a save to make but he had no chance with the deflection."

Cowdenbeath closed on the top two with a 4-1 victory over Elgin City at Central Park. Darren Shalliker put the visitors ahead early on, but doubles from Paul McQuade and John Armstrong gave Danny Lennon's side victory.

Elsewhere, David Hannah got his first win as caretaker manager of Montrose, who won 2-1 at Annan, Albion Rovers defeated Berwick Rangers for the third time this season, 3-0, while Forfar continue to struggle, losing 3-2 to East Stirling and having Sean Kilgallon sent off.