This report was written by David Rinaldi and appears in the Sunday Mail On-line site.

A DOUBLE from David Graham fired Stranraer back to the Second Division as they disposed of third-placed Gretna. The victory means the Blues can wrap up the title if they beat Stirling Albion at Forthbank next Saturday.

The league leaders started well and David Graham should have had them in front after only four minutes.

Kevin Finlayson released the pacy striker with a defence-splitting pass but David Mathieson in the Gretna goal stood tall to thwart Graham as he dashed through one-on-one.

But Gretna refused to lie down and could have opened the scoring in 15 minutes.

Derek Townsley fed Ryan Baldacchino 25 yards out but as the goal opened up in front of him, he fired a woeful shot at Andy McCondichie which the keeper dealt with comfortably.

However, the visitors did open the scoring two minutes later.

Gavin Skelton's corner from the right was met by an unchallenged Townsley and he sent a header into the back of the net.

Stranraer responded and Graham went close with a snap shot from 20 yards which Mathieson did well to beat to safety. The table-toppers were unlucky in 22 minutes when the ball broke to captain Allan Jenkins but his powerful effort was diverted behind by Ryan McGuffie.

However from the resulting corner Lee Sharp's kick was headed home from close range by the burly David Turnbull to draw the Blues level in 25 minutes.

The home side were well on top at this stage and only a last-gasp challenge from Gretna captain Davie Irons denied Graham a clear run at goal following an impressive long ball from Jenkins.

Stranraer should have gone in front on the half-hour when another Sharp free kick fell to the unmarked Jenkins but he had no power behind his header.

Then McGuffie cleared a goal-bound header from Steven Swift off the line as the Stair Park side upped the ante.

Gretna striker Ian Stevens went into the book as the first half drew to a close for persistent fouling.

The home fans were up in arms in injury time after a penalty appeal was turned down when McGuffie appeared to handle a Finlayson cross.

In the dying moments of the first half Turnbull almost fired Stranraer into the lead.

Graham released the striker 20 yards out but his first touch took him away from goal. However, he recovered and fizzed a shot inches wide of Mathieson's right-hand post.

Within four minutes of the restart Stranraer went in front courtesy of the live-wire Graham.

Finlayson flicked the ball on to Graham and as he powered forward McGuffie slipped and the striker stroked the ball home from 10 yards.

In the aftermath of the goal three Gretna players went into the book for protesting that Graham had fouled McGuffie. Keeper Mathieson, captain Irons and Townsley were all cautioned by whistler Eddie Mack.

Gretna should have had a penalty in 55 minutes when Baldacchino shot from the edge of the box and the ball appeared to strike the hand of Sharp. But referee Mack played on.

But Gretna weren't giving up on promotion lightly.

Stevens had the Stranraer defenders Derek Wingate and Murray Henderson on their toes in 57 minutes when he challenged for a Brian Wake pass.

And Gretna fullback Mark Birch forced McCondichie into a super stop a minute later with a ferocious 30-yard drive.

Gretna boss Rowan Alexander threw on Mike Galloway for Baldiacchino in 62 minutesbut Graham almost notched his second within 40 seconds of the swap when he dashed down the right and clipped an angled shot narrowly wide.

However the striker did add to his tally in 65 minutes. A Fraser Wright clearance fell to the on-form hit man and he calmly lobbed Mathieson from the edge of the area.

The impressive Graham almost grabbed his hat-trick in 81 minutes when he sped on to a Stephen Aitken pass but Gretna sub Kyle May made a timely intervention.

The visitors pulled a goal back in 86 minutes thanks to a Brian Wake penalty. Henderson was adjudged to have handled a Townsley cross and Wake rammed his spot kick home from 12 yards.

Townsley headed an Ian Stevens cross over from six yards in injury time but Stranraer held on for the three points that ensure their return to the Second Division in one season.

Man of the Match- David Graham two goal hero who secured promotion for the Blues.

Overall Summary- Fantastic result.

Attendance: 730