AN emphatic 5-1 win over 10-man East Fife at New Bayview sent Arbroath six points clear at the top.
It was level at the break with Jon McShane's 17th-minute penalty for the hosts having cancelled out Simon Murray's 10th-minute opener.
But after East Fife substitute Ross Campbell saw red early in the second half, Allan Moore's side made their pressure tell.
Paul McManus made it 2-1 before a quick-fire double from Murray completed his hat-trick. Jack Smith added a late fifth.
Albion Rovers showed how to play with 10 men as they moved into second place after a 4-1 win over East Stirlingshire at Ochilview. Mark McGuigan got the visitors off to the perfect start and Scott Chaplain made it 2-0 inside 15 minutes.
David McKenna won and converted a penalty to get the hosts back into it, but Chaplain restored Rovers' two-goal advantage.
The Coatbridge side then had Jamie Pollock sent off but it was they who completed the scoring with a second from McGuigan.
Elgin City won for the first time in the league since August, dispatching Montrose 3-2 at Links Park.
The visitors were 2-0 up through Dennis Wyness and a Ross Graham own goal before Garry Wood pulled one back just after the break.
Craig Gunn made it 3-1 to Jim Weir's men before Ross McCord stuck a late consolation.
Annan Athletic stay firmly in play-off contention after a 2-1 win over Clyde at Galabank. Stuart McColm had a hand in both Annan goals, scored by David Hopkirk and Josh Todd.
David Sinclair netted for Barry Ferguson's side in between.
Queen's Park slipped to third after a 0-0 draw with Berwick Rangers at Shielfield, but it is Queen's who should be happier with the result, Berwick having squandered the best of the chances.
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