BINOSWILL TAKEFIGHT ALLTHEWAY
Frustrated County fall short of win Team spirit is vital factor says skipper
Paul Mclean knows that the Binos haven’t always made things pretty in recent weeks – but he believes that fighting spirit can be the catalyst to a successful promotion charge.
The skipper netted a crucial winner in another tough encounter against Albion Rovers on Saturday, with Stirling having to come from behind to ensure the gap to leaders Dumbarton stayed at five ahead of last night’s crucial fixture at the Sons.
The afternoon had started comfortably for the hosts thanks to Danny Denholm’s screamer, but Wee Rovers’ talisman Charlie Reilly dragged his side in front with two goals in ten second-half minutes.
Dale Carrick netted the leveller before half-time and Mclean tapped home in the second half to send the Binos fans home happy.
The 33-year-old admitted the chance was laid on a plate for him and said the Binos played better in last week’s 0-0 away draw with Forfar.
Mclean said: “Any winning goal is a good one, getting the result was the main thing and if I can pop up with a goal to help that one, then that’s brilliant.
“This week, we didn’t play great and got the result and last week, I thought we were excellent and didn’t get it,but that’s football sometimes. It’s just great to get the win and get over the line.
“We know he [Reilly] is a good player and their danger man. He took his first goal really well and the second was a bit of a deflection off myself – he’s a good player and will go on to play at a higher level.”
Last night’s game at the Rock was set to be a major battle in the direction of the League Two title, with the sides having swapped home wins in their two meetings so far this season.
Mclean believes the Sons will come out with a point to prove after their 6-0 mauling at Forthbank – but downplayed the must-win nature of the clash with plenty of time left in the season.
“We know we’re in a chase and it’s a two-horse race at the end of the day so we just have to keep winning and we’ve got a big one on Tuesday now”, the defender said.
Mclean added: “Dumbarton have been very good this season, like ourselves.
“We had a great performance here when we beat them 6-0 so they will obviously have a bit in the back of their mind from that and come out all guns blazing but it’s great that this club is where it wants to be and that’s fighting for the title.
“Looking at the changing room, we think we have the best squad in the league and Dumbarton probably think the same so it should be two good teams going at it.
“Whatever happens on Tuesday, if the result doesn’t go our way then we won’t be throwing in the towel and there are still enough games to go and we have games in hand so it’s about keeping on getting results and keeping the pressure on.”