Team line-ups
Stirling’s five-match winning run was halted by Peterhead on Saturday as the leaders moved three points clear of Montrose at the summit of Ladbrokes League 2.
Jamie Stevenson’s 61st-minute goal was enough to settle a tight contest of few chances on an afternoon of icy rain and a blustery wind at Forthbank.
The pitch held up well to the elements but it wasn’t a day for pretty football. Both teams gave it everything and Albion were probably worth a draw but Peterhead got the goal and defended stoutly to earn their third win in a row ahead of Saturday’s trip to title rivals Montrose.
Albion led the table from August until the middle of November but this defeat – their third in a row to the Blue Toon – all but ends any lingering hopes of lifting a trophy at the end of April.
They remain third in the table and on course for the play-offs but there’s a huge amount of football to be played this month. Last night’s trip to Berwick was the Binos’ second match in a hectic spell of seven fixtures in 22 days and they head for the capital to face Edinburgh City on Saturday.
Dave Mackay named an unchanged side to the one that beat Clyde 2-1 in their last outing a fortnight ago, with Andy Black and Willie Robertson again ruled out. Peterhead were without banned duo Jason Brown and Jack Leitch while Rory McAllister, the scourge of Stirling, and most other teams to be fair, was fit enough only for a place on the bench.
The Blue Toon were further hampered when they lost striker Russell McLean – who scored twice against Stirling in January – midway through the opening half but Jim McInally’s men ground out a precious victory as Stirling failed to score for the first time in 2018.
Albion’s performance lacked a bit of sparkle but it was noticeable how little time they were allowed on the ball by a Peterhead side who hunted in packs. For all that, Stirling were twice denied by the woodwork and could have nicked at least a point on another day.
In the first half, keeper Greg Fleming misjudged a speculative curling effort from Darren Smith and was grateful to see the ball come back off the post. The hosts rattled the woodwork again shortly after falling behind when Ross Kavanagh delivered a superb low cross from the right and Smith, under pressure from a defender, struck the ball against the underside of the bar.
Substitute Aaron Norris wasted a good opportunity for the visitors in the first half but neither goalkeeper had too much to do.
A 0-0 draw looked a decent bet as the game wore on but Peterhead enjoyed a bit more possession and got their goal just after the hour mark.
Former Morton and Alloa player Stevenson strode forward and unleashed a fierce shot from just outside the box. He should have been closed down quicker but it was a fine strike and the ball flew past Cammy Binnie, taking a nick off Lee Hamilton on the way.
Hamilton prevented a second goal with a brilliant last-ditch tackle on onloan Dumbarton winger Chris Johnston but one proved enough and, other than Smith’s effort off the bar, there were few occasions when Stirling looked like conjuring up an equaliser. Stirling Albion: Binnie McGeachie, Hamilton, McNeil, Barr, Moon (Dickson 81), Stanger (Little 56), Jardine, MacDonald (McLaughlin 75), D Smith, Kavanagh. Subs (not used): Wight (GK), Noble, R Smith, Banner. Peterhead: Fleming, McIlduff, Robertson, Johnston (Jordon Brown 81), McCracken, Ferry, Stevenson, S Brown, McLean (Norris 24), Belmokhtar (Smith 65), Gibson. Subs (not used): Hobday (GK), McAllister, Adams, Lawrence.
Referee: Mike Roncone