Scottish L1 roundup: Stirling, East Fife reach final

By Callum Mulvihill, Reporter | 10 May 2014

East Fife and Stirling Albion progress to the Scottish League One playoff final with victories in their respective ties on Saturday.

Stirling Albion will meet East Fife in the final of the Scottish League One playoffs after both sides secured their progress on Saturday afternoon.

Scott McBride levelled the tie on aggregate in just the 12th minute by heading home a Stephen Hughes free kick, but the advantage was back with Clyde just before the break when Scott Ferguson rifled in the equaliser.

Clyde looked on course for the when when the tie took one final twist in the 85th minute as Kevin Smith forced extra time by finding the back of the net to make it 2-2 over both legs.

An entertaining 30 minutes of extra time failed to produce another goal, and penalties were needed to separate the two sides.

In a dramatic shootout which included 20 efforts from the spot kick, it was Fraser McGhee's wayward effort which eventually handed the victory to East Fife.

Stirling Albion cruised to victory in their playoff tie with Annan Athletic by winning the second leg 5-3 to earn an 8-4 aggregate success.

David McClune and Jordan White made it 2-0 in the second leg after 23 minutes, before goals from Martin McNiff and Ally Love in the second half briefly sparked hopes of a dramatic Annan fightback.

Two more strikes from White either side of a Craig Comrie effort saw the forward complete his hattrick after McNiff had received his marching orders for a second yellow card.

Scott Davidson scored a consolation goal in stoppage time for Annan as Stirling set up the playoff final meeting with East Fife.