Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally, Graham, Aitken, Fraser (Christie 23), Tomana, Cramb (Bell 69), Shields and O’Brien (Taggart 86). Subs Not Used: Wilson and Malseed

Stranraer:- Black, McKinstry (Nicholas 60), Sharp, Aitken, Wilson, Donnelly, Ramsay, Crilly, Hamilton, Burns and McAlpine (McMullan 69). Subs Not Used: Hodge, Snowdon and Morrison.

The Binos travelled to the South West corner of Scotland hoping to finish 2006 with the only unbeaten away league record in Britain and, possibly, sitting at the top of the league if results elsewhere went their way. The match also marked the last game in a red shirt for Dene Shields whose loan period finishes. Unfortunately, the afternoon was to end in misery as Stranraer scored 2 goals in the last 15 minutes to win the match 2-1. The misery was compounded with 2 Binos players being sent off. Firstly, Hogarth was sent off for bringing down Hamilton although the big centre looked suspiciously offside when he picked up the ball before driving into the penalty box. Forsyth was also sent off when he handled Nicholas’s shot to concede the penalty which won the match for Stranraer. These red cards leaves Allan Moore with only 13 fit players to face Alloa in the New Year derby on Tuesday.

The Binos started the match brightly and Shields had the ball in the net after only 4 minutes. Unfortunately, Cramb’s lay off had come after he had come back from an offside position and the assistant had raised his flag before Shields shot. The opening pressure paid off when the Binos took the lead courtesy of Tomana’s finish from close range.

The big talking point of the match came in the 23rd minute when Hogarth brought down Hamilton as the centre tried to go round the keeper. There was no doubt it was a penalty and Hamilton was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity. However, he was at least 3 yards offside when he collected the ball but the assistant on the far side failed to raise his flag. The Binos sacrificed Fraser to bring on Christie and the youngster became an instant hero when he saved Hamilton’s spot kick.

The remainder of the half was fairly even and the Binos went into the half time break with their slim lead intact.

The pattern of the second half was established from the outset with the Binos content to sit back and soak up the Stranraer pressure. However, they did manage a few attacks with Graham pushing forward to use his height. Unfortunately, from one corner he was unable to get his header on target whilst O’Brien was unlucky to see a curling shot hit the post.

With 15 minutes left, Stranraer got the equaliser when Wilson headed home from a corner. The Binos almost got a second goal when Shields got on the end of a Forsyth free kick but Black managed to save at the second attempt. With only 5 minutes left, Christie brought off a fine save to deny Nicholas but the ex Bino managed a second effort which was handled by Forsyth. The referee pointed to the spot then produced the red card for Forsyth. This time, Nicholas stepped up to take the penalty and sent Christie the wrong way.

With time running out, the Binos tried desperately to get the equaliser and tempers started to get frayed. However, despite their best efforts, the all important goal didn’t materialise and the match ended 2-1 in favour of Stranraer.

In addition to the sendings off, there were bookings for Aitken, Wilson and Ramsay of Stranraer, and Aitken and Graham for the Binos.

After 18 matches without defeat and 10 consecutive victories, everyone expected the run to come to an end some time. However, with Stranraer having lost heavily to bottom club Forfar last week and the Binos not having lost to Stranraer in the last 10 league meetings, few people would have expected it to be today. However, the players will now have to bounce back and there is no better match to do that than in a local derby. The Binos have already beaten the Wasps twice this season, the last being a 5-0 thrashing at Forthbank. A repeat would do very nicely to bring in the New Year. Let’s hope that Alloa are in a hospitable mood on Tuesday.

I would like to wish all the readers a Happy and Prosperous New Year and I would also like to congratulate Mrs Ina Shaw on being awarded the MBE. Mrs Shaw has done invaluable work with the Cubs, the Club and the Young Reds and this award is thoroughly deserved.