Sun sets on unbeaten run
Binos suffer first away league defeat this season
Berwick Rangers ..1 Stirling Albion ...... 0 Stirling Albion returned empty-handed from their journey across the border as Michael McKenna’s early goal proved decisive on a chilly afternoon at Shielfield.
It was the Binos’ first away defeat in Ladbrokes League 2 this season, leaving only Celtic and Hibernian unbeaten on their travels in the SPFL.
It was also the first time Dave Mackay’s men had failed to score in a league match in 2017/18.
Berwick keeper Robby McCrorie, on loan from Rangers, was named man of the match after vital saves from Darren Smith and Ross Kavanagh in the first half but Stirling did not create much in the second period and the home side deserved their narrow victory.
The result allowed Montrose to edge two points clear at the top but Stirling and Peterhead both had the opportunity to take over at the summit when they met at Forthbank last night (Tuesday) in a game postponed because of snow on November 25.
Albion were below par on their first visit to Shielfield since a 1-0 win there in April and it perhaps did not help that they had not played since the 1-1 draw at Clyde on November 11.
Both teams were wearing their away kits on a day when the Binos welcomed back Liam Caddis after injury and gave a debut to on-loan St Johnstone teenager Cammy Thomson at left-back.
Berwick had been thumped 5-1 away to Elgin the previous week but strung together a run of five games without conceding a goal in the autumn and have generally been much improved since Robbie Horn replaced John Coughlin early in the campaign.
The home side started on the front foot and were ahead after just seven minutes. Former Dundee United forward Aaron Murrell had an effort blocked and the ball broke to McKenna, who lashed it into the net for his seventh goal of the season.
Stirling struggled for fluency in the first half but still carved out a couple of clear chances. McCrorie made a terrific stop to push away Neil McLaughlin’s drive from outside the box then reacted quickly to keep out the follow-up from Darren Smith when Albion’s top scorer looked set to equalise. Kavanagh was then sent clear, albeit on the angle, and McCrorie again came to the rescue with a crucial save.
At the other end Robert Wilson thumped a header against the bar as Berwick sought a second goal and Andy Irving’s deflected shot flew wide.
Albion enjoyed some good spells of possession but Berwick were well organised and did not give up many chances. On-loan Hearts winger Callumn Morrison was trying to make things happen despite being on the end of a couple of heavy challenges.
Morrison had a shot blocked and then, with a couple of minutes left, swung in a dangerous cross which was missed by Darren Smith and McCrorie did well to push the ball round the post for a corner.
It was hard to grudge Berwick their victory and it moved the Borderers to within three points of the playoffs in an increasingly congested division.