Carrick goal lifts end of season fare
ALBION ROVERS .............................. 1 STIRLING ALBION ............................ 1
Stirling Albion’s final away game of 2021/22 ended in a draw at sun-drenched Coatbridge on Saturday.
Dale Carrick’s eighth goal of the season after 33 minutes had Darren Young’s side in front at the interval but former Bino David Wilson equalised on the hour mark.
The result leaves Stirling seventh in the cinch League 2 table going into their remaining fixture at home to Edinburgh City – who booked their play-off place at the weekend.
Rovers had shipped nine goals to Stranraer (0-5) and Stenhousemuir (1-4) in their previous two outings but Stirling have struggled badly for goals - just two in six matches going into this one - and it was always likely to be a tight affair.
Brian Reid’s men, who stay in ninth place, had won the two previous meetings between the teams this season by a single goal but it finished all square this time round.
Binos boss Young made half a dozen changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Elgin the previous week, with defender Paul Mclean making his first appearance since July after injury. The former Brechin man did well as part of a back three and played for almost an hour before being replaced by Martin Mcniff. Marc Laird, Adam Cummins and Nathan Flanagan were all ruled out.
The sun was strong but there was also a stiff breeze blowing down the pitch as the game got under way. Stirling almost took the lead inside four minutes when Ray Grant’s freekick from the left flank was met by
Dylan Mackin, whose powerful volley left the crossbar shuddering.
It was fairly typical end-of-season fare with not much at stake but the visitors made the breakthrough just after the half-hour. Jordan Mcgregor sent the ball down field and Carrick got in behind the defence and lifted the ball over the advancing Cammy Binnie for a cool finish. It was his eighth goal of the season and makes him joint-top scorer with Mackin.
Rovers didn’t cause the Stirling defence many problems in the first half but they were level in 60 minutes when the ball broke to David Wilson at the edge of the box and the midfielder cracked a low drive past Blair Currie.
The hosts almost went ahead when Charlie Reilly’s free-kick from distance nearly sneaked in at the right-hand post but Stirling also had their opportunities to claim a win.
Winger Kieran Moore provided an attacking spark after coming off the bench and was denied by Binnie when he couldn’t get enough on his shot. The home side came close to scoring an own goal on a couple of occasions and Kyle Banner almost conjured up a late winner but it ended 1-1, marking a third successive away draw for Stirling this month.
Albion Rovers: Binnie, Lynas, L Wilson, Mcgowan, Fernie, Leslie, Roberts, D Wilson, Doherty, C Wilson, Reilly. Subs not used: Stone (GK), Wright, Mcgeachin, Dolan, Taylor, Jack, Robinson.
Stirling Albion: Currie, Mcgeachie, Hancock, Mclean (Mcniff 57), Mcgregor, Banner, Dunsmore (Paterson 82), R Grant (J Grant 82), Carrick, Leitch (Roberts 68), Mackin (Moore 68). Subs not used: Law (GK), Creaney.