Elgin 1-2 East Fife

Jan 6 2008 Alan Walters Reports

EAST FIFE boss Dave Baikie breathed a huge sigh of relief as striker Paul Stewart finally found his shooting boots to fire the runaway league leaders to victory.

Stewart, right, squandered a series of glorious chances in the last 15 minutes before grabbing a dramatic 86th-minute winner.

And Baikie joked: "Paul had three practice shots beforehand, so I expected him to get the goal eventually. But he showed a lot of character to be willing to have another go."

Elgin's assistant manager Kenny Gilbert admitted he thought his side could shock the Fifers.

He said: "Once we got our equaliser we thought we could kick on and even win it. I don't think we deserved to lose but a lapse in concentration let us down. But fair play to East Fife - that's why they're at the top and coasting."

The Fifers, minus top scorer Paul McManus, took the match to City in the early stages. Veteran skipper Steven Tweed headed over, then keeper Ally Ridgers blocked Bobby Linn's powerful strike.

They went in front right on halftime when Kevin Fotheringham curled home a brilliant free-kick from 25 yards.

In the second half, Craig O'Reilly's 30-yarder came back off the base of the post then Stewart was denied by the legs of Ridgers.

But Elgin grabbed an equaliser when Zander Sutherland fed Mark Smith and he unleashed a 25-yard shot which deceived McCulloch and found the net.

Stewart missed two glorious opportunities in quick succession before grabbing the winner when he beat the Elgin offside trap to net.