Martin Scott's late header reduced the deficit but Stenhousemuir held on for the win to extend their unbeaten run to three matches as they moved up a spot to fourth, while Cove's three-point lead at the top was reduced to one as a result.

Cowdenbeath moved up a place to second after edging a narrow 1-0 victory over promotion rivals Edinburgh City at Central Park thanks to David Cox's winner just before the break.

Moments later, the away side lost captain Craig Thomson to a straight red card for a bad challenge as they dropped down to third.

Annan advanced to fifth after returning to winning ways with a 2-1 victory away to Queen's Park, who have lost their last three.

Annan summer signing Scott McLean opened the scoring against his former side after 18 minutes and – four minutes later – Tommy Muir doubled their lead before David Galt pulled one back six minutes from time.

Elgin moved up two places to sixth thanks to a 3-1 win away to Albion Rovers.

Rory MacEwan and League Two top scorer Shane Sutherland – with his seventh of the season – were on target with a goal apiece in five first-half minutes as Elgin took control.

A second-half own goal from Ross Clarke extended the visitors' lead before Smart Osadolor scored a close-range headed consolation for the home side at the death.

Elsewhere, the bottom two sides Stirling and Brechin shared the spoils from a 1-1 draw at Glebe Park.

Brechin top scorer Paul McManus netted his second goal in two games as his 47th-minute header broke the deadlock but former Brechin defender Paul McLean, who left Glebe Park after a decade this summer, headed the visitors level midway through the second half.