24 – Heart of Midlothian and Rangers will contest this season’s Scottish Cup final on May 21 after both sides picked up 2-1 victories over their city rivals in this weekend’s semi-finals. The Jam Tarts are in their third final in four seasons, while the Gers have made it to the final for the first time since 2015/16. This will be the fifth time the sides have met in the final, and the first time for 24 years – Rangers won the first three, but Hearts triumphed in the most recent encounter at Celtic Park in 1997/98.
5 – Arbroath thumped Queen of the South 5-1 at Gayfield to close the gap at the top of the cinch Championship to just one point. A Jack Hamilton double and goals from Colin Hamilton, James Craigen and an Innes Cameron own goal helped the Red Lichties set up a fascinating title showdown at the BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park on Friday night. This is the first time Arbroath have scored five goals in a second-tier match since New Year’s Day 1976, when they beat Montrose 5-3 at Links Park. Dick Campbell’s side have lost just one of their last 13 league matches and know that victories in their final two fixtures would guarantee them a return to the top flight for the first time since 1974/75.
7 – Dunfermline Athletic climbed out of the relegation places in the cinch Championship thanks to a 2-1 victory over Ayr United at East End Park. The Pars trailed 1-0 until the 79th minute but goals from Reece Cole and Nikolay Todorov helped them seal all three points and move ahead of their opponents. The two sides have the same points, goal difference and goals scored, but crucially Dunfermline lead the head-to-head with two wins and a draw from four matches against the Honest Men. John Hughes’ side are now unbeaten in seven home matches, including victories in their last three.
9 – Peterhead defeated Queen’s Park 2-1 at Balmoor to ensure they would survive for another season in cinch League 1. Ryan Duncan and Grant Savoury scored the goals for the Blue Toon to move them seven points clear of ninth-placed Dumbarton with just two matches remaining. Peterhead are now unbeaten in their last nine home matches against the Spiders – their last defeat was back in February 2013. Jim McInally’s side have peaked at the right time, taking 10 points from their last four matches to ensure a fourth straight season in this division.
1 – Stenhousemuir kept their promotion play-off hopes alive thanks to a 4-1 victory over Albion Rovers in cinch League 2. The Warriors raced into a 4-0 lead within 24 minutes thanks to goals from Adam Corbett, Euan O’Reilly, Robert Thomson and Adam Brown to secure a comfortable win. Stephen Swift’s side are now just a point behind Edinburgh City with two matches remaining as the sides battle it out to join Dumbarton, Annan Athletic and Forfar Athletic in the cinch League 1 play-offs. The Warriors have picked up six wins and a draw in their last eight matches against Rovers, including victories in each of their last three meetings.
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