Safe, but I wanted the win

Albion Rovers secured their League Two safety with a stalemate against Elgin City – but boss Brian Reid was unhappy with the game’s tempo.

Both teams failed to create many chances at Cliftonhill as the Coatbridge side moved 13 points clear of basement club Cowdenbeath, with four games to go.

Blair Malcolm had to clear an Elgin chance off the line with 13 minutes remaining, and the former East Kilbride star had a header go past the post by a matter of inches.

The 51-year-old’s side are unbeaten in five matches and was pleased with a fourth clean sheet in that run.

But Reid felt the fixture had an ‘end of season’ feel about it, which was disappointing.

He explained: “it is another point for us but we are looking to finish the season as high as we can and our aim will be to finish sixth. We looked a bit heavy legged and didn’t create as many chances as we can.

“We want to be forward thinking and trying to catch the ones that are currently above us. We wanted to kick on with a victory so we are a bit disappointed.

“I thought we looked flat in the game and didn’t create the chances that I know we can. But the positives are taking a point and the clean sheet.

“It looked like an end of season game that meant nothing for either team, which is disappointing because we still have plenty to play for. We want to finish this season strongly and try to climb a few places, which is still our aim.

“We’ll take the point and that clean sheet but we are disappointed not to have taken the three.”

Rovers were dealing with injury problems again; only six substitutes were named on the bench by Reid while others were played out of position.

The Rovers boss added:“we had six players missing from this squad and our injury problems this season have been well-documented. It’s been a bit like that all season.

“It might actually be a bit more than six but we had to reshuffle the pack again and players were playing out of position, which didn’t help things.

“We are five games undefeated now though, with two wins and three draws. We have started the last quarter quite well but we are disappointed because, at home, we want to have a bit more life about us in front of our own supporters.

“Elgin never really created many chances either.”

Rovers host Stranraer at Cliftonhill on Saturday.

Frustrated Brian Reid