EAST FIFE go into the play-offs full of confidence after a 3-1 victory against Arbroath at Gayfield.

The Lichties took the lead after only six minutes when Willie Martin scored from the penalty spot after Bryan Scott was chopped down by Elliot Smith in the box.

Arbroath were close to doubling their lead when Kevin Webster tried to curl a shot into the top right hand corner on 24 minutes but it went just over.

Then the Fifers stunned the home team with two goals in two minutes.

On 38 minutes a cross by Jason Dair found Graham Gibson whose header hit the underside of the bar before going in.

Then Neil Jablonski threaded a ball to Keith Gordon who lobbed over keeper Scott Morrison to put the away team ahead five minutes before half time.

Paul Ritchie completed the scoring on 51 minutes when he collected a Paul Hampshire cross and shot high into the Arbroath net.

East Fife boss Dave Baikie said that it was a deserved victory for his side.

He said, “I’m very pleased with the result. Arbroath are one of the top sides in the division.

“Both teams had a lot of changes. I thought we were the better side. We were more lively, passed the ball well and created more chances.

“It was a great header from Graham, Keith did well to chip the keeper and Neil put in a great cross for the third goal.

“The result is an important confidence booster ahead of the playoffs. It will be a tough game for us against Stranraer but we are happy going into the game as the underdogs.”

Arbroath boss John McGlashan said the most important thing was that his team didn’t pick up any injuries ahead of their play-off tie with Queen’s Park.

“You never want to be beaten in a game of football, but the important thing is that nobody in the side picked up any knocks. We didn’t have anyone sent off.

“The real game for us is against Queen’s Park and we will now prepare accordingly.”

MONTROSE boss Jim Weir is already looking ahead to next season, after drawing the last one to a close with a successful outing against Elgin City.

He watched his side cruise to a 2-0 win at Borough Briggs a week after his players battled hard against Stenhousemuir to give the gaffer his first home win since taking over the reins at Links Park.

On-loan St Mirren pair John Baird and Mark Docherty delivered the goals and ended the season on a high note.

The Gable Endies took control early on and had to wait just eight minutes for on-form striker Baird to bag his fifth goal of the season, heading in Docherty’s free-kick.

Docherty made it 2-0 on the hour when he latched on to Keith Gibson’s flick to head home from close range.

Weir praised the loan pairing and said, “They’ve been terrific. Getting the goals was obviously a bonus, but they’ve also been good for our dressing room.”

“The early goal helped and I was pleased with the performance,” Weir continued.

“We want to raise expectations next season and be up there challenging for the play-offs.”

Links Park will be a scene of intense close-season action, with work starting on a new all-weather playing surface.

Other works include additional changing rooms, improved catering facilities, upgraded car parking and an extra artificial grass area to the east of the main stand.

"Keith did well to chip the keeper"

Who the hell is Keith? I must have missed that substitution. What chance do we have when Baikie doesn't even know his own players names?

What about Neil putting in a great cross for the third???????

Hey Liam keep up to date, its that new guy we've got Neil Hampshire, tall, athletic and with long flowing locks, you'll recognise him next time he puts in a cross.