Late goal stunner sinks 10-man Binos
Play-off hopes finally sunk by Rovers’skipper
STIRLING ALBION ................................ 0 ALBION ROVERS .................................. 1
Stirling Albion went down to a midweek defeat as a late goal from Sean Fagan gave Albion Rovers all three points on a night when both sides ended with 10 men.
It was a ninth home league loss of the season - a figure matched only by bottom club Cowdenbeath - and came on the back of a 3-0 reverse to in-form Annan Athletic at the weekend.
Darren Young’s side are back at Forthbank tomorrow (Saturday) when they host Stranraer before back-to-back away games at Cowdenbeath and Kelty Hearts in early April.
The Binos had striker Dylan Mackin sent off for a reckless and needless challenge on Callum Wilson - it was a seventh red card of the season for Stirling, three more than any other League 2 side.
That indiscipline has proved costly although ironically the Binos were probably the better team with 10 men. They conceded the late goal after Rovers striker Kyle Doherty had been dismissed for a challenge on Adam Cummins.
There were fewer than 400 fans in attendance on a pleasant spring evening and for Stirling supporters the end of the season probably can’t come quick enough. Recent wins over Cowdenbeath and Forfar removed any worries about becoming involved in a battle at the bottom while this victory for the Coatbridge club lifted them 11 points clear of the Blue Brazil.
Stirling were without Dale Carrick, Jack Leitch, Ray Grant and Paul McLean. Young made four changes to the team, with Cummins, Jordan McGregor, Kyle Banner and Dylan Paterson drafted in.
Rovers had drawn their last two games 0-0 at home to Forfar Athletic and Kelty Hearts and for long spells it looked as if this would be another goalless 90 minutes, with clear chances at a premium.
On-loan Hearts keeper Harry Stone tipped a Nathan Flanagan drive over the top while former Bino David Wilson might have done better than fire tamely at Blair Currie.
With the half-time whistle imminent, Mackin - who cut a frustrated figure at times - lunged in on Callum Wilson in the middle of the park and was sent packing by referee Greg Soutar.
The Binos did well enough in the second half but couldn’t find the goal that mattered. They are clearly lacking confidence and conviction in the final third. Kieran Moore came close on a couple of occasions but in truth neither goalkeeper had a lot to do.
It became 10 v 10 for the closing stages when Doherty caught Cummins with a high tackle and saw red but Stirling couldn’t take advantage. They deserved a point but even that proved beyond them as the men from Cliftonhill struck with two minutes remaining.
Stirling couldn’t clear their lines when the ball was played into the box and it eventually fell to Fagan - the centre-half kept his composure and made space to drill a low shot into the corner.
It was Rovers’ second successive 1-0 win in this fixture and the sides meet again for the final instalment in Coatbridge on April 23.
Stirling Albion: Currie, Dunsmore, Moore, McGregor, McGeachie, Cummins, Paterson (Francis 73), Robertson, Banner, Flanagan (Laird 89), Mackin. Subs (not used): Law, Creaney, McNiff, J Grant, I McLean.
Albion Rovers: Stone, Fernie, L Wilson, McGowan, Fagan, Leslie (Lynas 80), Jack (Malcolm 76), D Wilson, Doherty, C Wilson, Robertson. Subs (not used): Binnie, Leighton, Robinson, Dolan.