Poor show virtually ends play-off hopes
STIRLING ALBION ................. 0 ANNAN ATHLETIC ................. 3
Stirling Albion lost to Annan Athletic for the third time this season as Peter Murphy’s men strengthened their grip on second spot with a comfortable win on a day of glorious spring sunshine.
Albion went into the game on the back of wins over Cowdenbeath and Forfar Athletic but, after a tight first half, were soundly beaten by the Galabankies, who had already posted 3-1 and 3-2 victories in this fixture before a 0-0 draw in January.
Tommy Goss bagged a second-half double after Aidan Smith had opened the scoring just before the break as the visitors notched up their fourth straight win in cinch League 2.
They won’t catch leaders Kelty Hearts but will fancy themselves to earn a first promotion in the play-offs come May.
This was a deflating afternoon for Stirling and there have been too many at Forthbank this season – it was an eighth home league defeat while for Annan this was a 10th away triumph of 2021/22.
Binos boss Darren Young was again without Paul McLean, Ray Grant and Mason Hancock. Jack Leitch was also out so Marc Laird came into the side in the only change from the team that performed so well in the 1-0 victory at Forfar.
Dale Carrick was forced off with an injury before the break and was replaced by Jordan McGregor, who returned after three matches out due to suspension.
Adam Cummins was back in the squad after injury and recent signing James Grant made his debut as a late substitute.
Annan had scored 10 goals in their previous three matches and should have been ahead early on but Goss fired wide from six yards after a Tony Wallace shot had come back off the post.
Carrick dragged an effort wide when he might have done better in a bright opening to the game but it soon became a midfield scrap with few chances few a goalless 45 minutes was in prospect until Stirling failed to deal with a long throw-in.
Cameron Clark hurled the ball into the area, Albion couldn’t get it clear and Smith drilled a low shot under Currie for his 50th Annan goal.
The second half was a tough watch for the home supporters. Even at just 1-0 down, their side rarely looked like getting back on level terms and it was all over with 18 minutes left when substitute Michael Garrity skipped away from McGregor and picked out Goss to net from close range.
The former Dalbeattie Star and Queen of the South striker took his tally for the season to 10 league goals a few minutes later when he got on the end of an Owen Moxon free-kick and swept a low shot past Currie from around 12 yards.
Stirling Albion: Currie, Dunsmore, Flanagan (Paterson 70), McGeachie, McNiff (J Grant 83), Moore, Roberts, Laird (Banner 70), Carrick (McGregor 37), Francis (Cummins 83), Mackin. Subs not used: Law (GK), Creaney