Last updated on .From the section Scottish Championship

Alloa Athletic took another step towards promotion

Alloa Athletic secured a Championship play-off final place for the second year in a row after beating Raith Rovers, who miss out on promotion from the third tier.

Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Alloa scored through Jordan Kirkpatrick's stunning free-kick.

Euan Murray smashed home from close range to give Rovers hope.

But the Wasps scored again with Ross Stewart slipping the ball beyond Graeme Smith and they play Dumbarton next.

Defeat also had repercussions in the boardroom, with Alan Young announcing that he had resigned as chairman and director and saying on the club website external-link that: "I take full responsibility for our failure to return to the Championship."

Rovers had beaten to the title and automatic promotion by Ayr United after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Alloa last weekend.

Although they dominated possession in the second leg of the play-off semi-final, the League One runners-up rarely threatened Neil Parry in the visitors' goal until Murray's close-range effort.

That came after Kyle Benedictus had crashed a header off the crossbar.

Even when Rovers equalised on the day, Kirkpatrick's set piece, fired around the wall and into the top-right corner, gave Alloa a degree of comfort.

Aand, as the Kirkcaldy side piled on the pressure, that left gaps at the back.

Stewart took full advantage when sent clean through to score with nine minutes left.

Benedictus and Rovers could not find a way back into the tie