Old adversaries Stirling Albion and Stranraer fought out their fourth successive league draw in a hard fought match at a wet Forthbank Stadium. The 1-1 draw saw Stirling extend their unbeaten league run with Stranraer to 7 matches and, in the process, saw the Binos move up to 3rd position.

After 2 successive defeats in the course of which the Binos have failed to score a goal, manager Moore rang the changes which saw McNally, Roycroft, Galloway and Gethins come into the starting line up in place of Neville, Hutchison, MacDonald and Glancy. At least, Glancy and MacDonald had the consolation of finding a place on the substitute’s bench. Devine, who was also free from suspension, was missing despite having played in a friendly match in midweek.

The match got off to a blistering start when the Binos should have taken the lead in the first minute. Confusion between the referee and his senior assistant finished with a free kick being awarded to Stirling. Galloway’s flighted free kick found Gethins with acres of space in the 6 yard box. Unfortunately, the diminutive striker failed to find the target and only succeeded in heading over the bar. Then a cut back from Hay was scrambled for a corner.

A shot from McLean from 30 yards out brought out a save by McCondichie which had more to do with making a good photographic opportunity. A few minutes later a cross from Gibson fell to Hay but he couldn’t connect properly and the ball fell harmlessly into McCondichies’ hands. As the Binos continued to press forward, McLean played the ball back into the path of Andy Gibson but he pulled his left foot shot wide of McCondichie’s left hand post.

Next, it was the turn of Gethins to try his luck but, this time, his header was on target but failed to trouble McCondichie. Stranraer retaliated and a free kick from their right was headed over the crossbar by Swift. At the other end, Gibson was forced to cut inside on his weaker left foot and he only succeeded in lifting his shot over the crossbar. Stranraer retaliated and a run by Graham ended with his shot being deflected over.

Stranraer’s main danger was Graham and a cross from him was dealt with well by Ferguson but at the expense of a corner kick. The resultant corner fell to Graham at the back post but Hogarth got down well to smother the shot. O’Brien then became the first player to be booked when he brought down Finlayson.

McCondichie then did well to hold a McLean shot with O’Brien waiting for any possible slip up. However, there were no further goal chances at half time came with the score still stalemate at 0-0.

Stranraer were first to threaten in the second half when the broke away but Fraser squandered the opportunity when, with only Hogarth to beat, he elected to pass and the danger was cleared. After a lengthy delay for treatment to Aitken he was eventually replaced by McPhee. O’Brien lost possession , Graham sliced through the Binos’ defence and, despite the efforts of Nugent, managed to send a right foot shot past Hogarth to put Stranraer ahead 1-0.

They almost made it 2-0 when Finlayson broke away and sent in a cross. However, Fraser’s header went wide. The Binos fought back and a cross from Gibson flashed across the Stranraer goalmouth but there was no Stirling player on hand to put the abll away.

Stirling made a double substitution with Gethins and O’Brien being replaced by Wilson and Glancy. Stranraer then took off Fraser and brought on Crawford. McLean then became the second Stirling player to be booked for a foul on Finlayson. Stirling made their final substitution with Allan coming on in place of Ferguson.

With time beginning to run out, Stirling got the reward their attacking play deserved. A shot from Glancy from the edge of the 18 yard box crashed off the crossbar. The ball fell kindly for Paul Hay who headed home for his third goal of the season.

Nugent became the next player to be booked for bringing down Graham as the match threatened to boil over. Tempers were not being helped by Stranraer players continually receiving treatment even under the slightest of challenges. Roycrof became the fourth Stirling player to be booked when he simply mistimed his tackle on Finlayson. A minute later, Guy became the only Stranraer player to be booked for dissent.

Finlayson, who appeared to be the Stranraer physio’s main customer, “limped” off to be replaced by Turnbull. Good work by McLean, on the right, finished with Wilson’s left foot shot being tipped over the crossbar.

Stirling continued to press as the match went into injury time but there waqs no further scoring and the match finished 1-1.

This match was not one for the lovers of good football as Stranraer made it plain that they would be happy with a draw. They played with only one forward and relied on the pace of Graham which did cause the Albion defence a few problems. This season, Stranraer seem to be missing the goal threat of Michael Moore as they are only averaging just over 1 goal per game and seem to rely on breakaways.

Having lost their last 2 matches, the Binos should be happy with a draw as it does mean they move up one place to third following Morton’s defeat at Brechin. Next week the Binos finish their run of three successive home matches when Dumbarton visit Forthbank. 3 points is a must if only to get back into the winning habit and spark a bit of life into their promotion bid.