Queen of the South hit five second-half goals to tighten their grip at the top of the league.

Their 5-1 win over Arbroath at Palmerston Park moved them 14 points clear and it was all the more remarkable as they played for 70 minutes with only 10 men and trailed at half-time to a Steven Doris goal, Mark Durnan having been dismissed for a challenge on Darren Gribben.

However, goals from Derek Lyle, Nicky Clark with a brace, Danny Carmichael and Stephen McKenna strikes put the hosts on easy street.

Elsewhere, Alloa Athletic, their closest challengers, fell to a 3-2 defeat at Brechin City after leading at half-time.

Stenhousemuir beat Forfar Athletic 2-0 at Ochilview with Sean Dickson heading them in front from Greg Ross’s cross in 65 minutes and Darren Smith adding a second two minutes later.

Collin Samuel scored both of East Fife’s goals in their 2-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Albion Rovers at New Bayview.

A David Winters goal earned Ayr United a valuable 1-0 victory against fellow strugglers Stranraer at Stair Park.