Binos finally escape bottom zone after win
STIRLING ALBION ...................... 2 COWDENBEATH .......................... 1
Stirling secured a muchneeded win on Tuesday night to climb to seventh in the table and move 11 points clear of bottom club Cowdenbeath.
Dale Carrick was the home hero with a double to take his tally for the season to seven and Liam Buchanan’s counter deep into stoppage time came too late for the Blue Brazil.
The Binos went into this one on a run of just one win in 17 league games since thumping Cowdenbeath 4-0 at the end of September. This was a precious victory, which leaves Maurice Ross’ men seven points adrift of Albion Rovers at the foot of the table.
There were long periods when neither keeper had too much to do but Stirling gave it everything and probably no-one put in more miles than midfielder Kurtis Roberts.
Manager Darren Young hasn’t had his troubles to seek of late and was without Jordan McGregor, Paul McLean, James Creaney, Ray Grant and Marc Laird through a combination of injuries and suspension. U20 players Darrell Love and Isaac McLean were named among the subs.
There was further woe for the hosts when on-loan Aberdeen left-back Mason Hancock was forced off before the half-hour mark and Kyle Banner followed early in the second half. Young certainly won’t have too many options to consider for Saturday’s trip to Forfar.
Cowdenbeath had beaten Stirling 1-0 at Central Park in December to end a run of four months without a victory. They arrived on the back of three single-goal defeats – but two of them were to leaders Kelty Hearts and they deserved better against their local rivals at the weekend.
Stirling haven’t been good enough in recent months but also haven’t carried much luck and were probably due the break that saw them open the scoring in 11 minutes.
Carrick whipped in a terrific ball from the left flank – it was just out of reach of intended target Akeel Francis but it bounced off the right-hand post and into the net.
Chances were generally few in the first half although Kieran Moore had a drive pushed wide and the visitors had a shot fired over the bar following a corner.
Martin McNiff impressed on his return to the starting lineup and Stirling defended well, limiting the Fife club to only a few opportunities. The best of those fell to Bobby Barr early in the second period but Blair Currie made a terrific save to keep the ball out.
It looked like one goal might be enough but Carrick grabbed a second with six minutes left and it was a beauty. Akeel Francis did well on the left to create the opportunity and the summer signing from Airdrie found the bottom corner, curling a perfect finish away from keeper Cammy Gill.
Jack Leitch had a penalty appeal waved away and Cowden got a goal back in the third minute of stoppage time when Liam Buchanan capitalised on a break of the ball to knock it into the net but, to much relief, Stirling held on for a deserved victory.
Stirling Albion – Currie, Dunsmore, Hancock (Flanagan 27), Banner (Mackin 50), McGeachie, McNiff, Moore, Roberts, Carrick (Paterson 88), Leitch, Francis. Subs (not used): Law (GK), McLean, Love.
Cowdenbeath – Gill, Thomson, Mullen (Swann 78), Todd, C Barr, Denham, Ferguson, Morrison, B Barr (L Buchanan 73), R Buchanan (Carty 73), Ompreon (Coulson 46). Subs (not used): McDowall (GK), Dunn, Miller, Moore, Barrowman.
Referee: Duncan Williams