Arbroath took an enormous step into next week”s second division play-off final with a comprehensive 4-0 win over a Glasgow side that finished in fourth place in the league below them.
The gap showed as Jim Weir’s men were two ahead by half-time and Ian Nimmo’s goal early in the second half ended home hopes of getting back into things.
Arbroath grabbed the initiative just after the midway point in the first half when Mitch Megginson turned away from Paul Gallacher on the right hand side of the box.
The on-loan Aberdeen youngster fired in a drive that Mark McGeown could only palm into the path of Robbie Ross and he lashed home from six yards out.
The Gayfield men were dominant until half-time and it was no surprise when they added a second goal, although there was a touch of controversy surrounding Jamie Redman’s header.
Nimmo swung over a corner from the left and Redman glanced the ball goalward, where it was deflected into the arms of McGeown. However, the sharp-eyed assistant signalled that the goalkeeper’s intervention was too late and a goal was awarded.
The Spiders tried to hit back at the start of the second half and Michael Daly forced his way through only to be denied by Darren Hill.
Hill was the hero again on 49 minutes when he clawed away a net-bound Tony Quinn header from close range and Arbroath quickly sealed the win.
Callum Booth skipped down the left and picked out Nimmo who sent a diving header home from eight yards out.
Arbroath added a fourth when Marc McCulloch curled in a corner from the left and Ewan Moyes rose to nod home from six yards.
Red Lichties boss Weir was delighted with the result, although he would not go as far to say his side were definitely through despite their four-goal advantage.
He said, “It was a very solid professional performance and we took our goals well.
“We have given ourselves a huge advantage but the tie is not over yet and football has a terrible habit of giving you a shock so we will be up for the second leg as well.”
Attendance 651.