Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally, Nugent, Aitken, Bell, Devine, Bingham (Tomana 60), Snodgrass (Fraser 52) and O’Brien (Cramb 90). Unused Subs:- Christie and Taggart

Airdrie United:- Robertson, Proctor, Lovering (McKeown 66), McDonald, Smyth, McGowan, McDougall, Taylor, Twigg, Harty and Holmes (McGuire 70). Unused Subs:- McKenna, Potter and Hollis

Firstly, I would like to apologise if this match report is not up to the usual standard. However, the emotion of today’s events has made it very difficult to sit down and write about something you always dream about. Having followed the Binos, or the Albion as I know them best, I have been at matches where promotion has been won. However, that has usually been at the end of a league campaign and, more often than not, has been the case of where, not if. Thanks to the play off system, promotion has been granted only to the winners of the division and, no matter how far in front they may be, the runner up has to go through the nail biting process of the play offs.

36 games proved that the Binos were the second best team in the Second Division. However, to prove that they were good enough to play at a higher level, the part timers had to overcome 2 full time teams, firstly Raith Rovers, which they did, and then Airdrie, a team which had come on a good run towards the end of the season, as they fought to maintain there First Division status.

Following a 2-2 draw at Forthbank on Wednesday, where the Binos dominated the match for long spells, everything hinged on the 90 minutes at the Excelsior Stadium, or should it be New Broomfield, as nobody in Binos colours wanted the game to go to extra time.

The atmosphere inside the ground prior to kick off was electric as it was clear the Binos had brought one of their biggest travelling supports ever. It certainly seemed to outnumber the home fans. The players were given a tremendous reception as they warmed up.

The 1353 Stirling Albion fans

It wasn’t surprising that the starting line up was unchanged from Wednesday but it was good to see that top scorer Cramb had managed a place on the bench despite his well publicised injury problems.

The Binos took the lead in the 5th minute when Snodgrass got his head on the end of a cross to glance the ball into the net. They doubled their lead in the 18th minute with another Snodgrass header from an Aitken free kick.

Robert Snodgrass heads the first goal (left), Snodgrass celebrating the first goal (middle), Snoddy heads the second goal (right)

At this point, the Binos looked the far better team. However, Airdrie fought back and the Binos defence were all over the place when, somehow, they managed to deny Airdrie a goal 3 teams a sdefenders flung themselves at shots. However, Airdrie did pull one back in the 39th minute when Hogarth managed to get a hand to a cross from the right. Unfortunately, the ball frll to Taylor who stuck out a foot to steer the ball into the net.

Airdrie then started to apply more pressure in the hope of getting the equaliser before half time but, they were unable to get the vital second goal and the teams went into the interval with the Binos holding a slender one goal advantage although Chris Aitken almost got a third goal just on half time when he spotted Robertson off his line and tried a shot from just inside the Airdrie half. However, the shot was off target.

The second half was a nervy affair, especially for the travelling support, and there was very little silky football on display. The Binos suffered a blow on the hour mark when Bingham had to be stretchered off with what appeared to be a knee injury following a heavy fall. With Snodgrass having been substituted a few minutes earlier, this left the Binos with no recognised strikers on the park as Tomana came on for Bingham and Fraser had replaced Snodgrass.

The Binos looked to have won the game when Devine scored a third in the 68th minute, slamming a Bell cross into the roof of the net but Airdrie got their second a few minutes later when McDonald’s shot took a deflection to leave Hogarth with no chance.

Stevie Bell croses (left), The ball falls for Stewart Devine (middle), and he smashes it into the roof off the net to make it 3-1

Steven Bell celebrates (left) and the players celebrate with the fans (right)

Very little can be said of the final 20 minutes as Airdrie continued to apply pressure with the Binos trying to break away and hold the ball as best they could. This they managed to do on several occasions but, at a price, as no less than 3 Albion players were booked in the final period.

Myles Hogarth's last minute save

After suffering the agony of 5 minutes added time, referee Thomson blew his whistle to spark off celebrations not seen for a long time as some of the younger Albion fans ran on to the pitch to salute their heroes.

The players celebrate at full time (left), fans on the park with Cramb (middle), Peter McKenzie celebrates in the dressing room

The players took a derived bow which lasted for well over half an hour as the photographers went snap happy. David Bingham was even carried out to take the applause and Albion Chairman, Peter McKenzie, came out to say a few words to the fans with an obvious tear in his eye. I’m sure Allan Moore even had a tear in his eye though he will probably be quick to deny it as he got his photograph taken with every female in sight.

Finally, the fans started to drift away to head back to Stirling and contemplate life in the First Division. Next season will be tough, though life in the lower divisions has not always been a bed of roses, as the Binos will be the only part time team. However, Allan Moore has proved his worth as a Manager and, I am sure, all Albion fans will be looking forward to next season.

Finally, I would like to thank any of the players who will not be with us next season, all the best for their future careers. We know that David O’Brien will be playing against us next season in the colours of Dundee and I would like to thank him for his contribution over the past few seasons. Robert Snodgrass will be going abck to Livingston and, again, he may be playing against us. However, his 2 goals today were invaluable and I hope that he manages to get into the Scotland team for the Under 20 World Cup. I would also like to thank everyone who has read my match reports over the season. It hasn’t always been easy, sometimes I am a bit biased, but, always, I hope to be fair and report it the way I see it.

Hopefully, attendances next season will be a lot higher as the fans have shown that, where the product is good, they will come out. See you next season.

All images are courtesy of www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk