Gretna confirmed their status as promotion favourites with a comprehensive victory over a disappointing Raith Rovers side at Starks Park. The Borders side were in command throughout the 90 minutes with impressive performances from David Bingham and Kenny Deuchar.
Gretna looked determined to establish control of proceedings early in the game and they came close to opening the scoring in the second minute when Bingham released Ryan Baldacchino, whose close-range shot was well saved by Rovers keeper Ally Brown.
The opening goal, however, was delayed only by 60 seconds, Bingham again causing havoc in the home defence with a clever pass to strike partner Deuchar, who was left with time and space to place a measured low shot beyond Brown.
Deuchar, last year's top scorer for Gretna, proved to be a constant threat to the home defence, forcing two good saves from Brown and heading narrowly over as the visitors' domination continued.
It was no real surprise, therefore, when Gretna increased their lead just five minutes before half-time when the impressive Deuchar rose above the static Raith defence to head home from James Grady's cross.
Raith appeared to be a transformed side in the early stages of the second half and they pulled a goal back in the 49th minute through Mark Crilly, but a superb passing movement involving Bingham and Baldacchino nine minutes later culminated in a cross by the latter to the far post where Grady rose to head home a third goal for the visitors.