Second division round-up: Thumping win convinces Stranraer board to put faith in Stephen Aitken SATURDAY'S 4-1 success over Forfar was enough to convince Stranraer's committee that interim boss Stephen Aitken should be appointed as permanent manager of the bottom of the table Stair Park side. Aitken, who was assistant to Keith Knox, was in temporary control after Knox was dismissed last Monday and his promotion was confirmed following the win over the Loons. Committee member Shaun Niven said: "We are delighted that Stephen will be our manager. He is well known to Stranraer, having played over 200 games for us and serving as assistant manager since March 2009. The win was earned when Craig Malcolm scored early with Forfar's Ian Campbell seeing a penalty saved before Danny Denholm restored parity. Aitken's brother Chris put Stranraer ahead at half-time and Malcolm made it three before Forfar's James Craigen was dismissed and Frank McKeown added a late fourth. Manager Aitken said, "I am delighted to be given the opportunity and I am looking forward to building on the start we have made. We rode our luck early on but eventually earned a good win. At the other end of the table, Queen of the South clocked up win No 8 of the season when they defeated East Fife at Palmerston Park yesterday to remain seven points clear. The winning goal came after just four minutes when Derek Lyle headed home a Chris Mitchell cross from six yards out. Paul McManus was denied a quick leveller by goalkeeper Lee Robinson, with Gavin Reilly missing an opportunity just before half-time for the home side. Early in the second half, Nicky Clark had a net-bound shot saved with the Fifers almost grabbing a goal with three minutes remaining when McManus was clean through. The striker, however, failed to control the ball and Robinson gathered. Alloa moved into second by defeating Albion Rovers 5-1 with Martin Grehan's fine drive opening the scoring on 20 minutes and Simon Marriot's headed own goal making it two at half time. David Crawford pulled a goal back before Grehan completed his hat-trick and Mitch Megginson added the fifth. Brechin's Alan Trouten also grabbed a treble as his side thumped Stenhousemuir 7-2 at Glebe Park, where Kurtis Byrne netted and Warrior John Gemmell replied before Trouten made it 3-1 at half time with a double. Sean Dickson pulled a goal back before Trouten scored his third with David McKenna netting a penalty after the visiting Brown Ferguson was dismissed and Derek Carcary adding two goals before the end. Darian MacKinnon scored in the first half and Michael Moffat in the second as Ayr defeated Arbroath 2-0, with the Red Lichties left to rue a missed penalty by Steven Doris before Moffat's strike.