Arbroath 2-1 Stranraer

Arbroath fired themselves into second place in Division Two as Stranraer's recent slump continued at Gayfield.

The home side were two ahead before the break through Jim Mercer and debut man Colin McKinnon.

Stranraer pulled one back late on through Keith Knox, despite having had a man sent off.

But it was too little too late for the visitors.

Midweek injury

Arbroath manager John Brownlie had reached an agreement with Falkirk to extend the loan period of striker Colin McDonald and also granted recent signing from Stenhousemuir McKinnon his debut.

Dougie Johnstone had recovered from his midweek injury against Clydebank to start for Stranraer.

Recovering Tom Bryce and Paul Walker had to make do with places on the bench, while Michael Geraghty missed out through injury.

Arbroath got off to the perfect start after two minutes when John McGlashan picked out Mercer in the box and he fired home a low shot from six yards.

They doubled their lead five minutes from half-time.

Unbeaten run

Attacking midfielder McKinnon collected the ball and raced towards goal before unleashing a 20-yard shot that stung the hands of goalkeeper Mark McGewon as it flew into the net.

Stranraer were reduced to 10 men after 55 minutes when Derek Rae was sent off for his second bookable offence.

They gave themselves a glimmer of hope 15 minutes later.

Keith Knox rose to head home a corner from Tommy Bryce.

But Arbroath held on for a victory that extends their unbeaten run to 10 games.

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Arbroath: Wight, Rowe, Florence, McAulay, Webster, Crawford, McKinnon, Mercer, Brownlie, John McGlashan, McDonald.

Subs: Heenan, Mallan, Cusick, Steele, Hinchcliffe.

Stranraer: McGeown, Johnstone, Wright, Farrell, Knox, Billy McDonald, Paterson, George, Harty, Rae, Weir.

Subs: O'Neil, Walker, Grace, Bryce, Greig McDonald.

Referee: J Fleming.