Honours even in drab derby

Mar 6 2009

STIRLING extended their unbeaten run to eight games but a second successive home draw has dented their play-off hopes.

It took a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a point against Arbroath at the weekend and Albion were again well below par in a drab derby, although the result lifts them above East Fife on goal difference and level on points with fourth-placed Peterhead.

The sparkle that brought five wins on the trot seems to have gone from Albion’s play and Forthbank has hardly been a fortress this term – with only four wins in 12 attempts now. Boss Allan Moore will hope for better when Brechin, Peterhead and East Fife visit later this month.

Of more immediate concern is the re-run tomorrow (Saturday) with Alloa at Recreation Park, the only away venue where Stirling have suffered a defeat since August. Let’s hope it is a better spectacle than that of Tuesday evening.

Albion had a good spell in the second half during which Mark Docherty hit a post but Alloa could have snatched victory in the dying seconds and a stalemate was fair overall. That it was 0-0 is perhaps a surprise given that these two have already shared 12 goals in two games.

Stirling were missing Ryan McCord through suspension and Andy Graham was injured so there were starts for Docherty and Andy Lawrie while Michael Mullen partnered Martin Grehan in attack, with David McKenna introduced from the bench.

Until recently, Alloa’s away form had been abysmal but victories at Queen’s Park and Stranraer changed that and they were dogged here, not bad for a side who have conceded an average of two goals per game on their travels.

The best chance of a generally lifeless first half fell to Albion’s Mullen after 15 minutes. He looked suspiciously offside when released beyond the defence and he managed to take the ball round Ray Jellema, only to see his shot headed off the line by a defender.

Alloa shaded the first period, though. Chris Townsley’s early header was saved, Andy Scott fired over after a good run by Brown Ferguson and Scott sent another effort wide.

Stirling played with more purpose in the second half and Mullen angled a drive narrowly wide before O’Neill was just too high with a good effort. Grehan was next to miss the target but Albion were at last looking capable of a breakthrough and it almost arrived in 73 minutes.

A fine passage of play down the right ended with O’Neill picking out Docherty, who was unlucky to see his shot rebound from the foot of the post but the Binos couldn’t sustain the pressure and might have lost the match in the closing stages.

Substitute Greig Spence shot over after muscling beyond Scott Gibb then an acrobatic leap from Christie kept out an effort from sub Brian Carrigan as the clock ticked down to Albion’s 10th draw of the season.

Stirling Albion: Christie, Lawrie, Forsyth, Gibb, Roycroft, O’Neill, Docherty, Murphy (Corr 70), Grehan, Mullen (McKenna 59), Devine (Boyle 85). Subs not used: Waddell, Hogarth.

Alloa: Jellema, Grant, Campbell, Townsley, Buist, Hill, McClune, Ferguson, Scott (Spence 72), Noble (Carrigan 81), Macaulay (Scullion 65). Subs not used: Wilson, White.

Referee: Colin Brown