Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Winner a Christmas cracker for Rovers
ALBION ROVERS ............................. 3
STRANRAER ..................................... 2
Brian Reid says Albion Rovers’ last-gasp winner to sink Stranraer on Boxing Day topped off his Christmas.
The Cliftonhill gaffer was thrilled to see his side be the beneficiaries instead of the victims of a late goal for a change.
And he praised his side’s fighting spirit as they fought back from 2-1 down to win a five-goal thriller that even included a Cammy Binnie penalty save in the first few minutes and a late red card for Stranraer’s Sam Ellis.
Charlie Reilly fired Rovers in front after eight minutes before the Blues bagged a first-half brace to lead at the break through Paul Woods and Tommy Muir efforts.
However, Rovers rallied after the break and Kieran Dolan’s header pulled them level in 50 minutes before Lewis Wilson struck in stoppage time to bag all three points.
And Reid, whose side stay eighth in League Two but just four points off the promotion play-off spots, said: “it was nice for us to get the late goal for a change after the one that done us against Forfar a few weeks ago.
“It’s a big three points for us. We are delighted and it made my Christmas a bit better as well.
“There is no better time to score a winner than in injury time and I’m delighted for Lewis.
“He’s not had his problems to seek. He’s had a tough time with injury and he’s been in and out of the squad, so to see him pop up with the winner - and on his right foot as well – I’m delighted for him.
”It was a big win to push us close to the teams above us.
“I’m a bit disappointed we never jumped a place or two the way results went, but it’s that tight that we’ve got ourselves right into that pack of teams.
“We just need to concentrate on winning football games and that’s what we’ll keep trying to do.”
Reid was furious about Stranraer’s early penalty award, which saw Adam Fernie penalised after a coming together with Muir in the box, but felt justice was served by Cammy Binnie save from Muir’s spot-kick.
He added: “we gave away a penalty in the first few minutes but it’s never a penalty in my life.
“Two players coming together in the box– the referee has got to make sure he gets that right.
“Fortunately for us, karma plays its role. It’s often you see a penalty that’s not a penalty missed and Cammy’s made a great save.
“That was justice for a soft penalty. You can’t give a penalty every time players bump into each other in the box.
“Cammy’s got that in his locker. He had a good game for us and the save was crucial.
“He came to the rescue for us and it’s not the first time - he always has a good chance at penalties.
”I didn’t think we had a great first half. We were off it and they looked more hungry than us.
“But we had a word with them at half-time. One thing about this squad is they have good character and a good determination about them and we were far better second half. We showed good character to fight back and win.”