Binos have to share the points yet again
Play-off spot is getting closer as season draws in
Stirling Albion .2 Edinburgh City..2
David Ogilvie Stirling were held to a 2-2 draw for the second time in four days as Edinburgh City claimed a share of the spoils at Forthbank on Tuesday night.
Dave Mackay’s men were frustrated by bottom club Cowdenbeath on Saturday and a much-changed team was pegged back by James McDonaugh’s side in a repeat of the result at Ainslie Park earlier this month.
Darren Smith celebrated his 30th birthday by netting his 25th goal of the season on his return from injury and centre-half Ross Smith was also on target.
Graham Taylor had opened the scoring for the visitors and Farid El Alagui headed the equaliser with 20 minutes left.
It’s another point closer to sealing a play-off place for Stirling – they are 10 clear of fifth-placed Stenhousemuir who have two games in hand – but any slim hopes of catching leaders Montrose or secondplaced Peterhead have surely gone.
Mackay made half a dozen changes, due to a combination of suspension, injuries and freshening up the side for game six of seven in a hectic 22-day period that continues at Elgin tomorrow (Saturday).
Edinburgh took the lead after only 12 minutes and the goal was a nightmare for keeper Craig Wight.
Kevin Moon’s pass-back wasn’t the best but it should have been comfortably dealt with. Instead, the veteran stopper took a heavy touch and was charged down by Taylor, who had a simple job of knocking the ball into the empty net.
The equaliser arrived midway through the first half and was the product of some fantastic play by Little. He got away from a defender on the left flank and teed up Smith for a simple finish.
Ross Smith headed the hosts in front 11 minutes after the restart, rising at the back post to convert a terrific delivery from Dickson’s corner.
The same combination almost produced another goal but this time Antell touched Smith’s header on to the crossbar.
Stirling should have been able to see the game out but City made it four draws in their last five matches and just one defeat in seven with a merited equaliser.
Noble conceded a free-kick wide on the right and trialist Lewis McLear – who had a loan spell at Forthbank during his time with St Mirren – floated the ball in for El Alagui to direct a header beyond Wight.
City were arguably the more likely side to score in the closing stages but there were no real clear-cut chances at either end as Albion extended their run to just one defeat in 11 matches, albeit dropping two points in a game they were favourites to win.
Stirling Albion: Wight, McGeachie, Noble, R Smith, Banner, Moon, McLaughlin (Kavanagh 79), Jardine, Little (P MacDonald 70), D Smith, Dickson. Subs (not used): Binnie (GK), McNeil, Caddis, C MacDonald.