East Fife 0 Elgin City 2

Last updated : 01 April 2006 By Footymad Previewer

Martin Johnston kept Elgin's play-off hopes alive with a brilliant two-goal performance. The hit-man applied clinical finishes in either half to take his tally to 17 this season.

With just six minutes gone, City's defence were carved open and John Martin rounded the keeper but shot into the side netting.

Elgin carried an aerial threat with Paul Kaczan, and twice he forced John Dodds into smart saves with close-range headers.

But it was star striker Johnston who netted after 14 minutes when he lifted the ball over the keeper after Mark Booth had set him up. He was almost on target again when Dodds fluffed a goal-kick, but his ambitious 45-yard lob dropped wide.

Johnston continued to cause problems, and he fired a great half-volley inches too high after 47 minutes.

City were slow to push out in the 52nd minute, and Martin almost lobbed Kieron Renton but the keeper got a glove to the ball to push it wide.

Elgin rode their luck with Paul Hampshire, Gavin Beith and Martin all having efforts blocked in a two-minute spell.

Johnston struck a post after 67 minutes but grabbed a deserved second six minutes later. Kaczan's shot came back off a post, and before East Fife could clear Johnston sent a brilliant overhead kick into the net.