Penalty heartache ends unbeaten run
COVE RANGERS ..................................... 1 STIRLING ALBION .................................. 0
There was late heartbreak for Stirling Albion on Saturday as League 2 leaders Cove maintained their 100 per cent home record with an 88thminute penalty from Mitch Megginson.
It was Albion’s first defeat since the 1-0 reverse to St Mirren Colts on the first weekend in September and ended their seven-match unbeaten streak.
Kevin Rutkiewicz’s side have the best defensive record in the division and stifled a Cove Rangers side who had rattled in 17 goals in their previous five home games, only to be undone at the end when Paul McLean handled in the box and Megginson tucked away the spot-kick.
The result saw the Binos slip to ninth in the table, three points above bottom club Brechin, and six outside the promotion play-offs as they prepare to host Annan Athletic on Saturday.
This was a first ever visit to the Balmoral Stadium and there was a healthy travelling support among the crowd of 825 on a cold afternoon on the south side of Aberdeen. You could get odds of 10/1 on Stirling to win here and 6/1 for the draw – Paul Hartley’s men prevailed in the end but there was nothing like that gulf between the teams.
Binos boss Rutkiewicz made one change to the team that won 3-0 against Albion Rovers the previous week as James Creaney replaced Cammy Thomson at left-back. Josh Peters, Dylan Bikey, Jordan Lowdon, Gareth Rodger and Craig Truesdale were again ruled out through injury.
Stirling were content to drop deep in the first half and allow Cove the bulk of the possession. Fraser Fyvie was dropping back to try to dictate play while
Fraser Aird offered an outlet on the wing and on-loan Dundee United midfielder Declan Glass always carried a threat.
For all that, though, Blair Currie was relatively untroubled until the closing minutes of the half when he made a terrific save to tip over a header from McLean and prevent an own goal. He then turned a Glass effort round the post but the visitors reached the interval comfortably on level terms.
Stirling hadn’t looked much like scoring in that first 45 minutes but Sean Heaver’s 25-yard drive a couple of minutes after the restart forced a flying save from Stuart McKenzie then a huge moment in the match arrived midway through the second half.
Danny Jardine released Darryl Duffy with a perfect through ball that allowed the ex-Airdrie striker to go oneon-one with the keeper. It’s the sort of opportunity the veteran will have stuck away many times but his 18-yard shot lacked conviction and McKenzie got down to make a vital block.
Cove, who won 2-1 at Forthbank in August, continued to enjoy more of the ball - they passed and probed on the artificial surface as they sought an opening. Jamie Masson fizzed a shot wide and a mazy run from Glass almost brought reward. Currie made a couple of smart stops but Stirling were looking good for an impressive point as the clocked ticked down, with the back four outstanding.
The moment of doom arrived with four minutes left. A corner was played in from the right and McLean appeared to slip, handling the ball as he did so. Penalty. There was a lengthy wait before the kick was taken as Creaney received treatment but Megginson kept his nerve to steer the ball low inside the left-hand post for his ninth League 2 goal of the season.
The ex-Aberdeen striker’s haul is one more than the Stirling team have managed in a dozen matches, as all their endeavour and defensive discipline ultimately counted for nothing.
Cove Rangers: McKenzie, Milne, Scully (Scott 81), Ross, Yule, Megginson, Masson, Higgins, Glass, Aird (Robertson 75), Fyvie. Subs not used: McCafferty (GK), Redford, Redman, Brown.
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, Creaney (Mackin 88), Nicoll, McLean, McGregor, Jardine, Wilson (Docherty 46), Heaver (Thomson 65), Duffy, Willis. Subs not used: Binnie (GK), Banner, Wright, Hawke.