The Spartans returned to the top of the tree for Christmas after Ayrton Sonkur’s second half header gave them a 1-0 victory over Elgin City at the Vanloq Community Stadium.
Manager Douglas Samuel kept an unchanged starting XI that drew on the road against Stirling Albion, whilst Mackie Scott returned to the bench and James Craigen retained the armband.
From the outset, Elgin City went up the park and the woodwork came to the rescue within the opening few minutes as Oli Colloty’s effort hit the post.
Mark Stowe was unlucky not to break the deadlock at the Café end when he latched onto a through ball in the box but Tom Ritchie spread himself to deny the Spartans striker.
Both sides continued to press for the opener however a plethora of offside flags, saves and wayward efforts meant it was defences on top and a lack of joy for those up front.
Next up to test Ritchie was Ethan Drysdale who unleashed a thunderous strike that saw the visiting keeper double fist the effort behind for a corner.
HT: The Spartans 0-0 Elgin City
An early opportunity after the break saw Bradley Whyte feed the ball across the 18 yard box for Jamie Dishington who was pounced on by a trio of defenders by the time he’d been able to attempt his shot on target.
Dishington was then provider, this time with a well weighted low ball across the face of the six yard box, only for Marc McNulty and Ritchie collide in the process, resulting in an inevitable free-kick for the biggest protected species along with the Bornean orangutan.
With more than their fair share of draws in recent times and the game entering into the final quarter, Spartans cranked up the pressure – and it was to pay off.
A short corner to James Craigen was swung into the packed box to find Ayrton Sonkur who had risen head and shoulders above all and sundry to connect. The journey across the line seemed to take an eternity but it was to finally reach its destination, nestling in the bottom corner to cue scenes as the players raced to swamp Sonkur to celebrate the deadlock breaker.
Murray Aiken was to replace Mark Stowe after 73 minutes in the first of the afternoon changes from the Spartans bench.
Mackie Scott was next to enter the fray, a welcome return to the side for the Academy Pathway striker who replaced James Craigen.
It was almost a dream start for Scott after being released by Marc McNulty however he was pounced upon by a pair of Elgin City defenders who collectively blocked his shot that looked certain to trouble Ritchie.
McNulty made way for Bailey Dall as the game entered its closing stages as Spartans looked to close out any late Elgin threat to seal the win and go top for Christmas.
FT: The Spartans 1-0 Elgin City
Malt and Hops Man of the Match: Ayrton Sonkur
