East Fife clinched the Irn-Bru Third Division title with a 3-0 victory at East Stirlingshire which put them 24 points clear at the top.Dave Baikie's troops scored two early goals through Paul McManus and Greig McDonald's late header.

The Fifers, who required just a point to clinch the trophy, made sure of all three with two goals in the opening 12 minutes.

After six minutes some neat passing between Bobby Linn and Paul Stewart created an opening for McManus.

Although his initial shot was saved by Shire goalkeeper Gary O'Connor, McManus was on hand to collect the rebound and score with a low shot.

The visitors doubled their advantage after 12 minutes when a run down the right from Linn took him clear of the Shire defence and he threaded the ball through to McManus who slotted home at the near post.

The home team put more resistance in the second half and might have reduced the leeway with a Derek Ure header which struck the crossbar, but after 76 minutes East Fife scored the third when McDonald headed home Kevin Fotheringham's corner kick

The full-time whistle brought scenes of celebration from the hundreds of East Fife fans who had travelled to see their team a clinch a place in next season's Second Division.

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