STRANRAER 1
ARBROATH 0
(Arbroath win 2-1 on Aggregate)


However – all is not lost for the Blues.
Ironically they could still go up through the back door.
With the much publicised problems at Gretna FC it is possible that if Gretna are liquidated or demoted/re-started to Division Three because of trading issues then the losing play-off finalists in the Divisions would go up to redress the respective voids which would see Stranraer go up to Division Two and Airdrie United promoted to Division One.
Whilst it would be heartbreaking to see a Dumfries and Galloway side go out of business, it could provide Stranraer with a back door back up to Division Two.
It is believed Gretna's fate will be decided at a meeting of the clubs administrators Wilson Field Ltd on Saturday.
It's understood Gretna have debts of around £4 Million with registered assets of just £734,000 but with four parties potentially interested in taking the club – and its debts on. Speculation leads towards the fact that any new owner would look to drastically re-structure or even write off these amounts which administrators and creditors maybe reluctant to permit.
The Arbroath game got off to a lively start with Arbroath going right for the throat of Stranraer, one of the first things they had to do though was pick Barry Sellars up off the floor as he took an early head knock that required a fair bit of attention from the magic sponge.
Once sorted Arbroath went straight towards goal from the free-kick when Watson collected the ball and hit in a low cross to Roddy Black whose shot was easily saved by his goalkeeping namesake in the Stranraer goal.
On eleven minutes Stranraer had a good opportunity themselves when Alex White played in a diagonal cross over the Arbroath defence to Michael Mullen. He then made himself some room on the edge of the box and fired in a crisp shot which Darren Hill did well to get to. Shortly later The Blues had another good chance when a corner from White found Iain Dobbins in the box but his header was tipped over the bar by the keeper.
It was a reverse of the earlier game when Arbroath set-pieces dominated the play but on this occasion Stranraer were dominating proceedings in free play and from set-pieces, another corner found Gerry McLauchlan on 26 minutes but his header rattled the crossbar and it was just beyond the reach of Greg Tade who's follow up header went well wide as the Arbroath goal was living a charmed life.
Stranraer continued to dominate, McLauchlan having a close range shot which seemed to stun keeper Hill when he caught it and on 40 minutes Gregory Tade also tried his luck from distance but without any success.
Half time arrived with Stranraer well on top of proceedings but without a goal to show for their troubles but with plenty of momentum behind them.
Arbroath showed more signs of life when the two teams came back out after the break with Watson whipping in a cross-cum-shot which missed his team-mates and only just missed the target as the ball bounced wide of the goal.
The tension of the game raised another notch on 57 minutes when Craig Tully made a kamikaze tackle on Danny Mitchell which was horrendous and Steve Conroy did not hesitate to give him a straight red card.
After a few minutes of handbags at five paces between the sides on and off the pitch play returned as Stranraer's urgency increased and this increased need to go forwards paid off on 63 minutes when the ball was progressed through the midfield to James McKinstry who swiftly played the ball on to Gregory Tade and whilst he had enough space he fired is a rasping shot which gave Hill no chance.
Arbroath swiftly re-organised and bolstered their defence by moving an additional player back from midfield. The Blues threw everything but the kitchen sink at Arbroath, Michael Mullen going close from the edge of the box, McLauchlan with another powerful header going just wide and right at the death but it was not to be and despite a real go at overturning the defecit, Arbroath hung on and will take their place in Division Two next season.
Stranraer: Black, Kane, Noble (Nicoll 82), Dobbins, McLaughlin (Cochrane 87), Mitchell, McKinstry, White, Mullen, McConalogue, Tade. Subs Not Used: Cashmore, Bonar, Alan Ferguson.
Booked: McLaughlin.
Goals: Tade 63.
Arbroath: Hill, Rennie, Black, Raeside, Bishop, Tully, Lunan, Campball (Rattray 90), Brazil (Reilly 53), Sellars, Watson (McMullan 64). Subs Not Used: McBride, Morrison.
Sent Off: Tully (58).
Agg: (1-2)
Att: 836
Ref: S Conroy