Albion last gasp win is like Deja Vu
Late goal secures Rose defeat for second time
Cinch League 2 STIRLING ALBION ................ 2 BONNYRIGG ROSE ............... 1
Deja vu was the order of the day for Stirling Albion as a second lastditch winner against Bonnyrigg Rose this season sealed another dramatic three points in the title race.
It had looked for much of the afternoon that it would be a frustrating one for Stirling’s promotion ambitions, but Jack Leitch popped up in stoppage time to add to the Binos’ collection of late winners this season and send the Forthbank faithful into wild celebrations.
The Binos had the first chance of the game, with Danny Denholm thumping a shot off the left post after Dale Carrick’s centre was miskicked into his path by Leitch.
They were made to pay for that miss when the visitors took the lead on 11 minutes.
Lee Currie’s dangerous corner from the right was flicked on by Alieu Faye to the penalty spot area where Callum Connolly was waiting to finish powerfully beyond Blair Currie.
Stirling enjoyed most of the opportunities in front of goal after that, with Denholm’s snapshot on the turn well pushed away by Paddy Martin.
The same player soon turned home from close range after a long throw was flicked on into the Rose box, but ref Steven Kirkland ruled it out for a push in the box.
Kieran Moore’s teasing free kick from the left found no takers, with only a touch needed to level proceedings.
Carrick was next to try his luck, with his lob from the edge of the box falling just wide of the target as a frustrating first half wound down to a close.
The second period was a testy affair, with few real chances on either side.
But it was Albion who found a crucial equaliser from an unlikely source on 57 minutes.
Carrick scooped a deep cross to half-time sub Robert Thomson and his effort to bring the ball down fell to Flynn Duffy, with the Dundee United youngster slamming beyond Martin.
It was a first senior goal for the 19-year-old and a fine time to score it. Rose squandered a golden opportunity to retake the lead when a slip from Paul Mclean let Raith Rovers loanee Kieran Mitchell through on goal but he scuffed his effort wide of target when he really should have scored.
Both sides made changes in an effort to find the crucial winner – but as the clock ticked into additional time, it looked like it would be two points dropped against the league’s basement boys.
However, as has been the case so often this season – including in the last meeting between the sides on Valentine’s night – Stirling popped up with a vital lastgasp winner, this one right on 90 minutes.
It was a beautifully crafted goal under such pressure – Ross Mcgeachie’s clipped ball found Thomson and he reversed it into the path of the onrushing Leitch, who caressed calmly past Martin in the Rose goal to seal the crucial three points for the Binos. The goal sent most of the big Forthbank crowd into raptures and the final whistle was greeted with relief as the gap to leaders Dumbarton was cut to just two points.
The two sides will now attempt to fulfil their latest fixture at the Rock once again on Tuesday evening after a pair of late call-offs put paid to the previous two games.
Stirling Albion – Currie, Mcgeachie, Mclean, Cummins, Davidson, Carrick (Spence 78’), Leitch, Denholm (Dunsmore 66’), Banner (Thomson 45’), Moore (Hamilton 78’), Duffy.
Subs not used – White, Mcgregor, Cooper, Clark.
Bonnyrigg Rose – Martin, Young, Horne, Murray (Mitchell 62’), Currie, Mcgale (Brett 62’), Faye (Mcgachie 69’), Grigor, Arnott (R Gray 62’), Doan, Connolly.
Subs not used – Andrews, Martyniuk, S Gray, Rodden, Kane.
Referee – Steven Kirkland.