Binos withstand the Forfar storm
Stirling hold their heads high against league leaders
Forfar Athletic ......... 1 Stirling Albion ......... 1
David Ogilvie Stirling Albion continued their good start to 2017 by deservedly holding the Ladbrokes League 2 leaders to a draw at Station Park.
Dave Mackay’s men followed up last week’s 3-0 win over Clyde with another impressive performance and the 5/1 outsiders could well have claimed a coupon-busting victory.
In an incredible league, Stirling are now only three points outside the playoffs and the same number ahead of bottom club Cowdenbeath. They face Clyde in the Scottish Cup on Saturday and return to League 2 business at Annan on January 28.
Darren Smith (pictured) fired Albion in front and Angus Beith then missed a penalty in the last game of his loan spell from Hearts. That always felt like a crucial moment in the game and Forfar equalised through David Cox before the break.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the second half as the Binos came close to ending a winless run against Forfar that now stands at 12 matches since a 2-0 Station Park success in March 2007.
It was another strong team
performance. Keeper Cammy Binnie’s handling was excellent, the defence did well against a Forfar team packed with attacking threats and Stirling were also good from middle to front. Once again, French striker Dylan Bikey was a massive influence on proceedings. He didn’t manage to add to his tally of seven goals in seven games but won the penalty after being brought down by Thomas O’Brien, who was one of five players booked for fouls on either Bikey or on-loan St Johnstone winger Connor McLaren, whose direct running was also a feature of the match. Mackay had to do without Chris Smith, Ross McGeachie, Moses Olanrewaju, Jack McCue, Ross Kavanagh and Callum Morrison through injury, with Darren Smith the only change to the team that beat Clyde as a replacement for Kavanagh. Gary Bollan’s men went into the game having beaten the Binos 4-1 and 3-0 this season and with a sevenpoint lead over Arbroath at the top of the table, although that has now been trimmed to five.
Forfar’s artificial pitch ensured the game went ahead despite the freezing temperatures and there were flurries at both ends in the opening exchanges without many clear-cut chances.
The deadlock was broken in 20 minutes and it was a fine finish from Darren Smith for his fifth goal of the season. Willie Robertson’s low drive from 25 yards came back off the base of the post with keeper Grant Adam well beaten and Smith was on hand to steer the rebound into the net.
Seven minutes later Albion had a glorious chance to extend their advantage. Bikey was too much for the Forfar defence to handle with a superb run into the area and O’Brien hauled him down for a clear penalty.
Blair Henderson, who successfully converted two out of two in the early part of the season, was on the bench and Beith stepped up but his weak spot-kick lacked power and direction and Adam dived to his right to make an easy save.
It was a big blow but the visitors reacted well to the disappointment and Smith hit the side netting from a tight angle after rounding Adam before Forfar enjoyed a better spell before half-time.
A defensive lapse allowed the hosts to equalise in 37 minutes when the ball broke to Cox and the former Peterhead winger lashed a shot into the corner.
Forfar had won their previous two home games, 5-1 against Annan and 4-3 versus Clyde, but Stirling dealt well with their threat in the second half, although Lewis Milne rattled the post from long range and full-back Michael Travis headed just wide from a corner.
Stirling were left to rue a miss from Bikey, who knocked the ball against the post from close range following a corner, which had come about after his brilliant set-up play allowed Beith to force a fine save from Adam.
In the final minute Bikey got in behind the defence after sub Sean Dickson hooked the ball forward but his low drive flew just wide of the left-hand post as it ended all square.