Albion slip up again
Third straight loss, but top four nearly guaranteed
Clyde ........................ 2 Stirling Albion ......... 1
David Ogilvie Stirling slipped to a third straight defeat and still require a point to be certain of a playoff berth after a disappointing afternoon at Broadwood.
The Binos’ goal difference should ensure a top-four finish, even if they lose their remaining games away to Annan on Saturday and at home to Stenhousemuir on April 28.
In a game largely devoid of chances, an unexpected three-goal burst early in the second half saw Danny Lennon’s side notch up their sixth straight home victory. Jack Boyle opened the scoring and, although on-loan St Johnstone midfielder Danny Jardine quickly equalised, Boyle grabbed the winner.
The on-loan Huddersfield Town man knocked the ball past recalled keeper Cammy Binnie with the flag up for offside but referee Steven Kirkland overruled his assistant as it appeared Albion’s Kevin Moon, not David Goodwillie, had diverted the ball into Boyle’s path.
Binos boss Mackay made half a dozen changes in the wake of the 5-0 thrashing by leaders Montrose but some were enforced, with top scorer Darren Smith and Lee Hamilton injured and skipper Willie Robertson suspended on his 25th birthday.
Binnie, George Stanger, Darren Barr, Andy Little, Andy Black and Ross Kavanagh all returned to the side as Albion sought to end a run of four games without a win.
In the first half goalkeepers Binnie and Blair Currie were hardly overworked with a back-post header from a Clyde corner which drifted wide the best opportunity.
You’d have put your mortgage on it finishing 0-0 based on the opening 45 minutes but football never loses its ability to be unpredictable and three goals arrived in six hectic minutes.
The deadlock was broken in 51 minutes and was a combination of impressive attacking and slack defending. Chris McStay, son of Celtic legend Paul, linked with Boyle on the right flank and the latter got away from Stanger and the back-tracking Barr to plant a low shot beyond Binnie to open the scoring.
Albion quickly hit back with a well-worked goal of their own. Peter MacDonald – who had replaced the injured Little late in the first half – did well to get away from a defender and dinked in a lovely ball for Jardine. It bounced on the artificial surface and the midfielder nodded the ball over Currie.
Stirling had conceded 12 goals in their previous four outings and were again undone at the back. League 2 top scorer David Goodwillie didn’t add to his tally of 23 goals but proved a handful and appeared to thread the ball through for Boyle to fire past Binnie.
The stand side linesman flagged for offside but the referee was well placed and it appeared the assist came via the boot of Moon.
Clyde have been strong at home under Lennon since he took over in November and Mackay’s men were unable to find a way back into the match. STIRLING ALBION: Binnie, McGeachie, McNeil, Stanger, Barr, Moon, McLaughlin, Jardine (Caddis 81), Little (MacDonald 40), Black (Dickson 72), Kavanagh. Subs (not used): Wight (GK), Noble, R Smith, Banner.