Love puts Albion on course

Robert Love scored a hat-trick as Albion put themselves on course for a place in Irn-Bru League Division Two with a 3-1 victory against Annan.

Love added two goals in the second half to his first-half opener as Albion gave themselves the advantage heading into Sunday's play-off final second leg. There was a bright start at Cliftonhill on Wednesday night with both sides exchanging chances, but Albion were the team to make the breakthrough in the 13th minute when Love found the bottom corner from John Gemmell's cross. The Wee Rovers continued to dominate and Todd Lumsden could have extended their lead, but he saw his shot blocked. Annan levelled four minutes before the break as a neat finish by Ian Harty from Aaron Muirhead's accurate cross beat Derek Gaston. Albion were back on top after the break, though, and their lead was restored midway through the second period through Love's second goal of the match as he smashed home from close range. And the striker put the game to bed with 15 minutes remaining, completing a fine hat-trick with another cool finish.