Cove Rangers produced a display of total domination to defeat Albion Rovers at the Balmoral Stadium last night.
A brace from captain Mitch Megginson and Scott Ross’ goal got Paul Hartley’s team back to winning ways after defeats to Stenhousemuir and Auchlinleck Talbot in the league and Scottish Cup.
Victory also keeps the Aberdeen team top of League Two, three points clear of Edinburgh City and Cowdenbeath.
Cove had the early pressure with Fraser Aird’s tempting cross from the right just evading the sliding Megginson.
Albion Rovers passed up a great chance on the quarter hour when Fraser Fyvie gave possession away to Declan Byrne on the edge of Cove’s penalty area, but Byrne’s pass to strike partner Smart Osadolor was poor and when the ball eventually broke for Will Graham, Connor Scully was back to block the shot.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a fantastic goal. Blair Yule won the ball deep in their own half and found Fyvie, he quickly moved it onto Aird who turned away from Ross Clarke and raced towards the box.
Once the Canadian international got into the area his angled shot was tipped away by goalkeeper Daniel Potts, but only into the path of Megginson who scored from close range.
Before the interval Rovers’ Euan East shot over from 12 yards when the ball broke to him and at the other end Jamie Masson had an effort deflected just wide and another held by Potts.
Declan Glass, Scully and Aird also worked the visiting keeper, but at half-time the Granite City side were still only one up.
A goal early in the second half was what Cove were seeking to press home their superiority and Glass was close to finding it just seconds after the restart, but Potts gathered his stringing drive from 20 yards.
The Dundee United loanee had another opportunity soon after, weaving in past three defenders from the right side, but he scuffed the shot wide.
Cove’s movement and interchange was a joy to watch throughout, but Potts in the Albion goal turned in a terrific display to frustrate them.
The stopper performed more heroics after the hour, first diving to his left to parry Aird’s volley which was destined for the net. Then when Daniel Higgins miscued a shot Megginson fired the loose ball towards goal, but Potts made a great block.
Cove continued to pepper the Rovers goal with shots blocked and crosses bouncing beyond blue jerseys, but 15 minutes from time they wrapped up the points when Aird’s corner from the right was headed home by Ross from six yards.
Four minutes later Megginson blasted home his second from eight yards after twisting past Sean Fagan.
