Stirling Albion set to launch last-ditch promotion bid

Apr 24 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion make a 310-mile round-trip to Peterhead on Saturday knowing that nothing less than three points will keep their slim promotion hopes alive.

Three successive defeats to Ayr, Stranraer and Raith have all but ended the club’s play-off ambitions, with Peterhead now eight points clear in fourth place with three games remaining, writes David Ogilvie.

Blue Toon boss Neale Cooper spoke about his admiration for the way Stirling play the game after a late David McKenna goal gave Albion a 2-1 victory over Peterhead at Forthbank on March 17 but the Binos’ form has been poor since then and it would take a massive turnaround in the next few weeks for them to claim a play-off berth.

Assistant manager John O’Neill scored a spectacular equaliser when Albion drew 1-1 in the North East on their last visit in November - when a snow-covered pitch put the game in doubt - and Peterhead have yet to beat Stirling this season.

Important

O’Neill, who netted the most recent of his six goals in March’s 3-2 home defeat to Brechin, said: “It’s our last chance. We spoke to the boys at training on Tuesday and said it is important that we keep our own season alive for as long as we can. We know we are relying on other teams if we are to have any chance of making the play-offs, but it’s vital that we win this weekend.

“Whatever happens after that at least it means we will be going into the East Fife game on May 2 with something to play for and that is important. Obviously a draw will suit Peterhead and that might affect how they play but we need to go up there and attack them.

“It took a disputed late penalty to give the Blue Toon a 1-0 win at relegated Stranraer on Saturday but the bottom dogs beat Albion the previous week and O’Neill admitted: “There’s no doubt that our recent run has been very disappointing. We got ourselves in a strong position to challenge for the play-offs but haven’t been able to push on in the last few weeks.”

Albion have lost their last two away games by a margin of 3-1 to both Queen’s Park and Ayr but they have a remarkable record of having not failed to score on the road since going down 1-0 at Stranraer way back on August 16 and that should give Allan Moore’s men confidence.

Peterhead lost their last home fixture 1-0 to Brechin but have generally been strong at Balmoor this term, with nine wins, four draws and just three defeats.

Stirling striker Martin Grehan will be available for the game but last weekend’s booking against Raith took him through the disciplinary points barrier and the ex-Motherwell man will miss next Saturday’s trip to East Fife.

Winger Nathan Taggart remains sidelined but defender Andy Lawrie is back in training. Midfielder Paul Murphy missed Tuesday’s training session because of a foot injury sustained against Stranraer and will be assessed nearer the time, as will striker Michael Mullen (groin problem).