Ryan Wallace uses Bayview wind power

With a strong wind blowing in towards Max Currie’s goal, and with the ‘keeper off his line, the Fife forward decided to try his luck from the set-piece.

And it paid off, Wallace’s effort sailing into the back of the net.

“It was windy and blowing down that way,” he said.

“I saw the goalkeeper standing quite high, he was nearly on his six yard line, so I thought ‘why not give it a go’?

“If anything someone could be coming in to attack.

“But by chance it flew into the top corner.”

Visitors Stranraer managed to claw back a couple of late goals to make the margin of the scoreline appear closer than it was.

East Fife were at their fluent best, despite the conditions, and could have been even further ahead.

The victory was all the more impressive given that the stuffy Blues went into the game having drawn their previous six.

That was something the Fifers were aware of, but Wallace, who also set-up a couple of goals, knew if East Fife forced their game on Stranraer, there would only be one winner.

“Stranraer have been on a good run so it was important we got the points,” he said.

“They’re difficult to play against but we proved all over the park that we had too much quality.

“Every team that comes to us tries to play because it’s a good surface to play on.

“But we knew if we got the foot on the ball and tried to play ourselves that we’d create chances.

“Tony McMinn (East Fife assistant) has been saying to us for a while that somebody was going to get a doing and, to be honest, it could have been much worse for them.

“It’s always good to chip in with assists but all that matters is the three points.”

Saturday’s victory ensured that East Fife stay in the top four, and Wallace is determined to help the side stay there.

“Airdrie won and the teams above us all did as well but for us it’s all about putting points on the board,” he said.

“Those can then become big points come the end of the season.”