Blue Toon win is by the book

Jim McInally insists he got his homework spot on as Peterhead ended Stirling Albion’s winning run to move three points clear at the top.

Jamie Stevenson’s second-half goal sealed the points but it was a sore one for promotion-chasing Stirling who had won their last five league outings.

The Blue Toon are now in the driving seat for the title and gaffer McInally praised his players for grinding out a result.

He said: “We didn’t play great or create a load of chances but neither did Stirling.

“What I will say is that we were professional.

“We did our homework on Stirling and knew they had been on a fantastic run.

“Winning here against a good side who have won five on the bounce is a terrific result.”

There were a couple of big scares for Peterhead, Binos top scorer Darren Smith denied by a post in the first half and then the bar after the interval.

In-form Peterhead forward Russell McLean was forced off midway through the first half.

And his replacement Aaron Norris passed up a good chance to make the breakthrough moments later, fai ling to connect from close range.

But Peterhead netted just after the hour, Stevenson firing home from outside the box past Stirling keeper Cammy Binnie.

Smith almost equalised when his close-range drive came clattering back off the bar.

Binos boss Dave Mackay said “A draw would have been a fair result. There was little quality in it, two teams cancelling each other out.”