EAST Kilbride extended the lead at the top of the Lowland League as they chalked up their eighth straight win at Falkirk Stadium.

Martin Lauchlin’s team stormed into a two goal lead against Stirling University through strikes from Adam Strachan and Ross McNeill.

Ross Kelloch gave Shelly Kerr’s team a lifeline before a late Sean Winter strike made sure of the points.

Second-placed Cumbernauld Colts were beaten 4-1 by East Stirlingshire at Ochilview.

Andy Rodgers grabbed a double with David Grant and Connor Greene also netting for the Shire, who had Paul Sludden red carded in the closing stages.

Stephen O’Neill scored Cumbernauld’s consolation.

Spartans renewed their challenge with a four second-half goals to beat Gretna at Ainslie Park.

Chris Townsley scored twice with Jamie Dishington and Broque Watson also getting on the scoresheet.

Former Spartans players Keith McLeod and Kevin Motion were on target for Vale of Leithen as they moved up to fourth with a 2-0 win over Whitehill Welfare.

Hawick Royal Albert also climbed two places after beating Edinburgh University 4-3 at Albert Park.

A double from Josh Morris and strikes from James McParlin and Kris Mitchell earned Dean Shanks’ team the points.

Jack Guthrie netted twice for Uni with Max Verkaik also scoring.

Gala Fairydean Rovers ended a five-match losing run with a 3-1 victory over Preston Athletic.

Darren Smith scored twice and Lee Stephen added the third for Steven Noble’s team.

Fairydean Rovers manager Steven Noble said: “We need that after a poor run lately.

“We weren’t at our best but we did enough to deserve the win.”

Trialist Fabio Neto scored Preston’s early goal.

Bottom side Selkirk crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Dalbeattie Star.

Connor Graham, Steve Degnam, Greig Thorburn, Lewis Sloan and Ally Mason all scored for the Islecroft team.

In the Friday evening game, BSC Glasgow beat Civil Service Strollers 2-1.