Livingston relegated from Scottish Championship
Saturday 7 May 2016 19:19, UK
Livingston have been relegated from the Scottish Championship after losing a dramatic two-legged play-off against Stranraer.
Although they won 4-3 in West Lothian, Livi were beaten 6-8 on aggregate despite forcing extra-time thanks to two late goals.
Starting out with a 2-5 deficit after the first leg, the hosts took the lead in the 18th minute when Liam Buchanan took advantage of some bad defending to slide the ball home from a tight angle, after rounding keeper Cameron Belford.
Jordan White made it 2-0 in first-half injury-time, only for Paul Cairney to restore Stranraer's two-goal advantage with an excellent half-volley just after the hour mark.
But with 89 minutes on the clock, Danny Mullen netted for Livingston, who forced the extra half-hour thanks to a Craig Halkett free-kick.
However, their dream was shattered with extra-time goals from Liam Dick (109) and Jamie Longworth (120), as the visitors set-up a Scottish Championship play-off final against Ayr United.
Ayr United beat Peterhead 2-1 at Somerset Park where the hosts enjoyed a 6-2 aggregate win.
Leading 4-1 from the first leg, Robbie Crawford extended this advantage on 26, although the visitors struck back five minutes later when Michael Donald's head diverted Leighton McIntosh's cross into his own net.
However, 12 minutes into the second half Nicky Devlin headed Ayr back in front.
Meanwhile, in the battle to reach League One, Queens Park lost 1-0 at Cowdenbeath but still reached the play-off final.
Greig Spence scored the only goal early in the second half but it was not enough to prevent a 2-1 aggregate defeat which confirmed Cowdenbeath's relegation to League Two.
Queens Park will now meet Clyde who romped to an aggregate victory over Elgin City at Borough Briggs.
The 2-0 win on Saturday made it 5-1 over two legs, with both goals coming after the break.
Jordan Fitzpatrick's 62nd-minute free-kick broke the deadlock, while Scott Linton completed the scoring deep into injury-time.
Finally, Edinburgh City and East Stirling drew 1-1 in the first leg of their League Two play-off final at Meadowbank.
The Lowland League champions went ahead from the penalty spot on 15 when Kristopher Faulds handled in the box and Gavin Dair fired home from the spot. But back came the visitors who equalised through Maxwell Wright on 42.
However, both sides finished the game with 10 men following the dismissals of Joe Mbu and Reece Donaldson.
Mbu left the pitch in the 77th minute after tangling with David Mckenna off the ball, while Donaldson was shown red for a foul on Gair in the final minute. The second leg takes place next Saturday at Ochilview Park.
