MANAGER RAGING AT LATE COLLAPSE
Rutkiewicz says it’s his sorest defeat yet
Stirling Albion boss Kevin Rutkiewicz felt a combination of bad decisions, individual errors and the worsening weather cost his side in a 3-1 defeat against Queen’s Park at Forthbank on Saturday.
The Binos were 1-0 up through a Dylan Bikey header going into the last 20 minutes but Kieran Moore equalised, Nicky Hogarth let a Peter Grant long-ranger slip through his hands and Moore pounced for the clincher in stoppage time after a mistake by full-back James Creaney.
Rutkiewicz was angry that referee Graham Beaton had waved away two penalty claims – one for a challenge on Bikey and another when Creaney’s shot struck Ryan Finnie on the arm with Stirling leading 1-0 – but also acknowledged his side had contributed to their own downfall.
Albion have now lost four in a row at home in League 2 but have won four on the trot on their travels and go to Central Park to play third-placed Cowdenbeath on Saturday.
The Blue Brazil won 1- 0 in August –
FULL STORY: it ended 0-0 at Forthbank in October and there are seven points between the teams.
Reflecting on Saturday’s defeat to one of their play-off rivals, Rutkiewicz said: “It’s as sore a defeat as I have had as Stirling Albion manager.
“For me, we were the better team and it’s only the conditions that got Queen’s Park back in that game – and a couple of horrendous errors by the officials and the players.
“The officials have had a massive part to play because we should have had two penalties. It was very difficult to accept.
“Being an official is a hard job and that’s not why we got beat, because we made errors on the park, but at crucial points in the game we could have been two goals up – the second penalty claim is beyond me (why it wasn’t given).
“Queen’s Park were on the end of some odd decisions as well and, along with the weather, it spoiled the game.”
The stormy conditions worsened in the second half and the Spiders capitalised on having the elements behind them.
He added: “We said to the boys at half-time that we would have to prepare for the weather because it was going to make it difficult for us to get out but, that said, I thought we played some nice football.
“The second and third goals we conceded were criminal and it’s so harsh on young Nicky (Hogarth) because he has been outstanding and I’m sure that won’t affect him.
“He has acquitted himself magnificently since he came in. James (Creaney) is obviously tired at the end and he’s got caught trying to play the ball back but he has given everything.”
Dylan Mackin missed out through injury but Bikey impressed in his absence, scoring his second goal of the season and causing the visitors plenty problems with his pace.
The Binos boss said: “He was a constant threat and scored a magnificent goal. He worked his socks off and was deservedly named our man of the match