Allan Moore aiming to strengthen Stirling Albion defence

Nov 11 2009

STIRLING Albion manager Allan Moore wants to bolster his defence after watching his side lose 1-0 to Alloa in Saturday’s derby duel at Forthbank.

The setback allowed Cowdenbeath to move top on goal difference and the Binos head for East Fife this weekend on a run of just one victory in the last five matches, although their most emphatic success of the season was 3-0 at home to the Methil men in September.

That match marked Albion’s last shut-out and Moore will ask chairman Peter McKenzie if funds are available to bring in a defender at a crucial stage of the campaign.

With Ross Forsyth suspended and Sean Roycroft injured, Under 19 graduates Craig Young and Kenny Feaks made up two thirds of the back three against the Wasps. Forsyth is available to face East Fife and Roycroft should also return but the Binos boss feels cover is essential.

He said: “I might have to speak to the chairman to see if we can get a couple of defenders in as we are desperately short in that area. Andy Graham was struggling after the Alloa game and Stewart Devine played through the pain barrier and could be out for a couple of weeks.

“We had two young boys in there and it was a naïve tackle from Kenny Feaks to give the penalty away and that’s what cost us because we ended up chasing the game again. That is very difficult because teams have something to hold on to and get men behind the ball.

“We need to stop giving teams a start. I didn’t see Alloa scoring in the first half unless it was a silly mistake and that’s what happened. In the second half we had to force ourselves up the pitch and they almost scored on the break but we had no choice by then.

“I’m disappointed because we lost the game and you can’t expect to be top of the league if you are not winning your home games. It doesn’t make it any worse that it is Alloa in a derby or how the goal came about - the issue is about winning games.”

Moore recalled goalkeeper Scott Christie – whose last appearance came in the 1-0 defeat at Alloa in September – in favour of Myles Hogarth, adding: “We have been losing goals and Myles is part of that. At the end of the day I took the decision to put Scott back in. We lost three goals last week and a few in the games before that so we made the change. Scott had no chance with the penalty and had a good save late on so he didn’t do anything wrong.”

The Albion gaffer was also unhappy at his side’s failure to convert the chances that came their way, although far fewer were created than in the 3-2 defeat to Peterhead and the previous home game when Liam Corr salvaged a 1-1 draw with Clyde at the death.

He said: “I think we had about a dozen corners and didn’t get a header on one of them which is disappointing. It’s a matter of being brave and taking your chance. That’s how big Roddy Grant had cuts all over his face (when he was a player) but we have too many pretty boys who are not willing to do that.

“Maybe it will do us the world of good not to be at the top of the league because the players were perhaps starting to believe the hype more than they should be. Good teams don’t lose games like this and we need to get back to being a good team. It’s a hard league and it will go until the end of the season but, don’t worry, we will be there or thereabouts.”

Alloa manager Allan Maitland was delighted to claim his first derby triumph at Forthbank. He said: “It was a magnificent win for us. I know Stirling had a lot of pressure in the second half but I thought we had the best chances throughout. We were worth our 1-0 lead at half-time and it was a stonewall penalty – our first of the season by the way. It was a magnificent finish from Andy Scott while Brian Carrigan and Stuart Noble were always a threat to them.

“Having gone on a run of six games without a victory we have managed to turn that round by winning the last two games and we are only three points off the top. Usually the team that wants it the most wins the match and maybe that is what happened on Saturday.”