Queen of the South stretched their lead at the top of the Second Division to 21 points as they defeated bottom side Albion Rovers 3-0 at Palmerston Park.
It was a day to remember for centre-back Mark Durnan as he scored one goal and laid on the other two.
Albion frustrated the hosts for much of the first half before Derek Lyle opened the scoring on half-time after Durnan`s long ball. The second half saw Nicky Clark tap in after Durnan`s header from a corner before Durnan got himself on the scoresheet after following up Chris Mitchell`s well-struck free-kick.
Manager Allan Johnston: “Every time we`ve played them this season it has been a difficult game and that one proved similar again. They got back behind the ball really quickly and frustrated us but it was good to score three goals.
“We can play better. Sometimes we passed it well, sometimes we weren`t as fluent as we have been. I think since the turn of the year in eight games we`ve scored 26 and lost four so you can`t really complain too much.”
It was unclear who had the final touch for the third goal as both Chris Mitchell and Mark Durnan both had valid claims but the centre-back was determined it was his goal.
Mark Durnan: “I touched it. I’m claiming it!
“My main job is to defend but you can always help the strikers out and to get a goal yourself it`s always good.
“Every game is going to be hard this season but we`ve just got to keep going at it and hopefully we`ll get the results.”
Johnston: “The league`s not over, obviously it`s good to see Alloa dropping points but we`ve just got to concentrate on our own game. We`ve got to make sure we get out there and keep winning until the end of the season.
“When there`s a cup final coming up that keeps everybody motivated and desperate to keep their place because they know once they`ve lost their place it`s difficult to get back in.”
Derek Lyle picked up an injury and was substituted midway through the second half but Johnston was keen to stress it was only a precaution.
“We were going to take him off anyway to give him a rest for Tuesday because he`s done really well lately and hopefully he`ll recover well for the big game on Tuesday [against Brechin].”