Albion Down: Albion Rovers relegated to the Lowland League

Words: Matthew Anderson

Images: Matthew Anderson

Albion Rovers’ 120 year stay in the senior ranks of Scottish football ended last month after defeat against Spartans in the pyramid playoff final. Rovers will now drop down into the Lowland League for next season with the North Edinburgh side taking their place in League Two.

The two sides were tied at 1-1 after a close fought draw in the first leg at Ainslie Park, but Dougie Samuel’s Spartans side were able to overcome a 10-man Rovers in front of a sell-out capacity crowd at Cliftonhill.

Spartans’ top scorer Blair Henderson scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the first half.

The three-time Lowland League champions become the fifth side to win promotion through the pyramid playoffs since its introduction in 2014, following on from Edinburgh City, Cove Rangers, Kelty Hearts and Bonnyrigg Rose.

Albion Rovers share the same fate as East Stirlingshire, Berwick Rangers, Cowdenbeath and Brechin City in dropping out the leagues.