Resident statto @splstats looks at some of the numbers behind the weekend games, focusing on Hibs, Morton, Stenhousemuir, Peterhead and Arbroath.
8 Hibernian moved six points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Championship after a 1-0 win over Dumbarton at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium. Although Neil Lennon’s side are the top scorers in the Championship, it is their strong defensive record which has quite rightly attracted plaudits this season. Saturday’s shut-out was the Hibees’ 13th clean sheet of the season and they have conceded just 17 goals in 26 matches in all competitions. Eight of those clean sheets have been away from home, which equals their tally for the whole of last season. The last time they kept more than eight away clean sheets in a season was back in 1994/95, when Alex Miller’s men shut out their opponents 11 times on the road.
16 Morton defeated Raith Rovers 2-0 at Cappielow on Saturday, a result which moves them just five points behind second-placed Dundee United with a game in hand. The Ton are now unbeaten in 16 matches at Cappielow – their last defeat came against Raith in March last year. Jim Duffy’s men have now built up a nine-point advantage over Dunfermline Athletic in fifth place, and will be increasingly confident of securing a spot in the Premiership play-offs. Morton have not played in the top flight since 1987/88, but on current form may fancy their chances of securing a return for the first time in almost 30 years.
1 The game of the weekend in Ladbrokes League 1 saw Stenhousemuir beat Stranraer 1-0 at Ochilview to leapfrog their opponents at the bottom of the table. The Warriors had conceded five goals on both of Stranraer’s previous visits to the Forth Valley but managed to get the better of their opponents this time thanks to a goal from Kieran Millar. Brown Ferguson’s side have been bottom of the league for most of the season, but have won four of their last eight matches and will now be setting their sights on climbing out of the relegation play-off spot.
10 Peterhead moved four points clear of the Ladbrokes League 1 relegation zone after beating Alloa Athletic 1-0 at the Indodrill Stadium. Jim McInally’s side have won five of their last seven matches away from home, including victories over each of the division’s top four sides. They have relied on this away form to keep their heads above water this season – over two-thirds of their points have come on the road. Saturday’s success ended the Blue Toon’s wretched recent run against the Wasps – they had failed to win any of their previous 10 meetings with Alloa, with their last success coming back in January 2011.
6 Arbroath defeated Berwick Rangers 4-1 at Gayfield to move to within five points of local rivals Forfar Athletic at the top of Ladbrokes League 2. Dick Campbell’s side trailed 1-0 before scoring four times in the last half hour to seal an emphatic win. This is not an isolated incident – the Red Lichties have earned five wins and a draw in their last six league matches, and each victory featured at least one goal scored in the final 30 minutes.
