@splstats looks at some of the numbers behind the weekend games, with the focus on Motherwell, Dundee, Raith Rovers, Stranraer and East Fife.
5 Motherwell moved a step closer to securing a top-six spot after a dramatic late victory over Inverness at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. The Steelmen have now recorded five consecutive Premiership victories, climbing from eighth to fourth in the process. When they lost 2-1 to St Johnstone on February 20, Well were just a point ahead of the relegation play-off spot, but those five victories mean they are now 15 points clear of Kilmarnock in 11th. This is just the fourth time in the last 20 years that Motherwell have won five or more league matches in a row, and Mark McGhee has been in charge for two of them.
5 Dundee moved back into the top six after thumping Ross County 5-2 at Dens Park on Saturday. The last time the Dee managed five or more goals in a league match came in December 2011, when a Steven Milne hat-trick helped them defeat Hamilton Accies 6-1 at New Douglas Park. Amazingly, you have to go back over 15 years to find the last time they netted five in a league game at Dens Park – Claudio Caniggia scored a double as they defeated St Mirren 5-0. That was also the last time they managed five goals in a top-flight game at any venue.
7 Raith Rovers all but sealed fourth spot in the Ladbrokes Championship after an enthralling 3-3 draw with Rangers at Stark’s Park. Rangers looked set to secure the league title when they led 3-2, but Harry Panayiotou netted his first goal for Raith in stoppage time to make Mark Warburton and his players wait at least until Tuesday. Raith’s last league defeat came on March 1 when the Gers beat them at Ibrox – since then Ray McKinnon’s side have picked up five wins and two draws. Raith’s current seven-match streak is their best unbeaten run in the league since August to October 2013.
4 Stranraer strengthened their grip on the final Ladbrokes League 1 play-off spot by defeating Airdrieonians 4-0 at Stair Park on Saturday. Brian Reid’s side were bottom of the league at Christmas with just 14 points from their opening 17 fixtures, but Santa clearly delivered some incredible form. Since they nibbled on their turkey and stuffing, the Blues have picked up 31 points from 16 matches, and have suffered just three defeats – one against each of the top three. Their impressive home form has been instrumental – they have picked up four wins and a draw in their last five matches at Stair Park, conceding just one goal in the process.
4 East Fife moved four points clear at the top of the Ladbroke League 2 table after defeating Arbroath 1-0 at Gayfield on Saturday. Gary Naysmith’s side have won 10 and lost just one of their last 13 matches, moving from sixth to first in the table in the process. Much of this resurgence has been down to an improvement in their away form – the Fifers have won six of their last eight away fixtures, having picked up just two victories in their opening eight. Their next away game is against second-placed Clyde in a fortnight – a victory in that one might well take the title to Methil.
