Derby day win key to a good run for Rovers

Albion Rovers boss Darren Young is hoping to start the year with a bang after a dramatic end to the last derby.

The player/manager hopes his side take inspiration from their display at Cliftonhill last time out – which he feels could have gone very differently.

The Coatbridge part-timers had a host of chances during the game at the Exsel Group Stadium including a Paul Willis missed penalty and a Ross Davidson header which came off the upright.

However, it was Diamonds fans celebrating at the full- time whistle – and Darren Young hopes his players will use the result to inspire a victory this time round.

“We missed the penalty and hit the post,” he told the Advertiser.

“Even at the end of the game when we got the goal I think we were unlucky not to score again.

“We should have probably come away from that game with at least a point and we played some great stuff towards the end. “It was a sore one to take. “So we want to start the year with a win and there is no better way to do it than to get one over your local rivals.”

Young is keen to secure safety in League One for his side and then start to look up the division in 2017.

He said: “We want to claw our way up the table and put some points on the board but first and foremost we want to make sure we are safe.

“We have had a lot of injuries so far this season and don’t have the biggest of squads.

“That has meant we have had to promote a lot of young boys who have come in and done well.

“You want a full squad to choose from and I’m hoping that when we get everyone back we will put together a wee run.

“We are in a half-decent position and the teams at the top and bottom of the division are starting to bunch up, so that’s encouraging.”