Stirling Albion’s jinx over Stranraer continued when the Binos fought back from the loss of a soft goal to earn a richly deserved point. The result also puts pressure on Stranraer as they are now only 4 points ahead of 3rd placed Morton. However, it could have been worse had Stirling managed to convert their second half supremacy into more goals as Stranraer seemed to be happy to leave Forthbank with a point.

The Binos starting line up showed 2 changes from the last match with Chris Aitken returning from suspension. He replaced Canning who was relegated to the bench whilst Dougie Wilson started on the right side of midfield, a move which saw Paul Hay replacing Chris Scotland as the Allan Moore elected to start with a defensive formation of Hay, McNally, Nugent and Devine.

Stranraer kicked off in front of a much smaller crowd that witnessed the corresponding fixture 12 months ago but it was Stirling who had the first chance when O’Brien wqas brought down just outside the 18 yard box. From the edge of the semi circle, Aitken’s free kick appeared to hit the arm of a Stranraer player but the referee waved away the penalty claims.

With quarter of an hour played, Aitken and Dunn played a one two and Aitken drove into the box. Unfortunately, his shot went wide. Play then went back and forth as both teams showed why matches between these two clubs generally tend to be close affairs. After 26 minutes Stranraer took the lead Paul Hay was penalised for a hand ball about 20 yards from goal. Sharp stepped up and sent a left foot shot past Hogarth. The shot was not particularly well hit and Hogarth should have done better. 1-0 to Stranraer.

Since he signed for the club in January, Chris Aitken has brought a goal scoring threat from midfield and he was unfortunate to see his right foot shot go just over the bar after a cut back from Di Giacomo. A few minutes later McManus found himself one on one with McNally but his shot went over the bar.

Dunn and Gaughan became the first players to find their names going into the referee’s book when they clashed after Dunn had gone down in the box. From my position it appeared that Gaughan pushed Dunn as he tried to get up but referee Fyfe decided to book both players.

There were no further incidents of note although Allan Moore seemed to incur the wrath of the linseman who gave him a severe talking to while, at the same time, completely ignored Stranraer manager Neil Watt continually coming out of the technical area. However, half time came with Stranraer still leading 1-0.

After 5 minutes of the second half Di Giacomo, who had been having a quiet game, twisted past Wright and sent in a cross to Dunn whose right foot shot went inches past. 2 minutes later, Stirling scored the equaliser when Aitken and Dunn linked well and Aitken sent an exquisite right foot shot past McGovern. This was Aitken’s 3rd goal for the club and each one has been a beauty. If the Binos had had this goal scoring threat from midfield since the start of the season, it might have been them challenging for promotion instead of the visitors. 1-1

Stirling continued to dominate proceedings and a Paul hay shot from 35 yards whistled inches past. Immediately after that, Glancy replaced Wilson which resulted in Dunn moving to the right wing. Stranraer responded by bringing on Fraser in place of McManus in a move which seemed to indicate that they were quite happy to settle for a draw.

Stirling almost took the lead after 77 minutes when a shot from Glancy hit the bar. Canning then came on in place of Aitken who seemed to have picked up a knock. Moore was then booked for a foul on Paul Hay. A minute later, Hay found his name going into the referee’s book for a foul on Jenkins.

Despite more pressure, the match finished level at 1-1, a result which leaves Stranraer 4 points ahead of Morton with 5 games left and Stirling in fourth place, which seems to be where they are likely to finish the season.

In the local paper, it seemed that Moore was prepared to use today’s match to assess some of the fringe players. As it turned out, only Wilson came into that category and he only lasted just over an hour. The club have the basis of a good squad for next season which may prove to be a tough one. They have some good young defenders and, provided they can retain the likes of Aitken and Canning, the potential for a strong midfield. Up front, a lot will depend on the fitness of Scott McLean and some wheeling and dealing will be required to bring in one or two players to strengthen the squad. The financial position of the club might be a drawback but, if the Stirling public turns out in force for the remaining home matches of this season, the club may find the funds to make a stronger push for promotion next season.

On today’s performance and, indeed, on previous matches with Stranraer this season, if the men from Wigtownshire were to go up, they would certainly struggle in the first division.

Next week sees a visit to the seaside and, hopefully, the weather in Ayr will be as good as it was today.