Elgin City bounce back from horror defeat in goal-less draw with Queen's Park who are crowned League 2 champions
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A spirited show at Falkirk Stadium earned Elgin what could prove to be a priceless point in their promotion bid.
The Black and Whites ground out a 0-0 draw with runaway leaders Queen's Park, who were crowned champions after earning the point they needed for the title.
City now get a seven-day break before the post-split fixtures come thick and fast, with eight in the space of a week.
Finishing fifth at the split means Elgin head next Tuesday for fourth-placed Stranraer, who are two points ahead of them in the quest for the play-offs.
Two days after that, City will host third-placed Stirling Albion who are just three points ahead of them at present.
A week on Saturday, Elgin head to Edinburgh City and finish their post-split programme with a home rematch against champions Queen's Park.
By that stage, the Moray club will know if their hopes of a top four position and a place in the play-offs is still alive.
Gavin Price understandably made changes to the starting line up which flopped so badly in the 5-2 loss to Albion Rovers on Saturday.
Injurues to Matthew Cooper and Archie Macphee forced his hand, though Darryl McHardy started despite an ankle injury.
David Wilson came in at right back, Angus Mailer made only his fourth City start in midfield and on-loan youngster Craig Brown was handed the number 10 shirt, with Josh Peters and Rory MacEwan dropping to the bench.
Neither keeper was tested in a tentative start though Tom McHale had to deal with a Louis Longridge effort midway through the half.
A controversial moment arrived on 32 minutes when referee Steven Reid awarded the Spiders a penalty for Euan Spark's challenge on Simon Murray.
Elgin were furious at the soft award, with McHale booked for dissent and manager Price sent to the stand for his protests - then Reid changed his mind and awarded a goal kick after consulting his assistant.
Kane Hester had perhaps the best chance of the half for Elgin but fired straight at keeper Willie Muir.
The Elgin top scorer went close early in the second half, while Queen's Park's attacks were spurned by stout defending.
Chances were at a premium, with the home side content in the fact that a point would secure the championship while City were determined not to let their hard work go to waste by conceding a late winner.
They held on for the 0-0 draw and a precious point, which was overshadowed by Stranraer's 2-0 win at Albion which created a two point gap between the sides in the battle for the top four.
Elgin: McHale, Wilson, Spark, McHardy, Bronsky, Mailer, R Dingwall (MacEwan 70) , Cameron, Hester (T Dingwall 81), Brown (Peters 81), Sopel (O’Keefe 70). Subs: Miller, Osadolor, Dalling, MacBeath, Kelly.
