No Blues for Young as unbeaten Fifers remain two points off top

EAST FIFE 1 STRANRAER 1

Darren Young was able to take the positives from this lacklustre draw which saw his East Fife side end the first quarter of the season undefeated.

The Methil men were far from being at their best against the Blues, with the visitors totally deserving of their point.

It was an uncharacteristic performance, particularly in attack, with East Fife lacking any real cutting edge.

But the bigger picture, which sees East Fife sit just two points behind leaders Raith Rovers after nine games, pleases the Fife boss.

Young said: “We had a few chances in the first half to kill the game but if you don’t take them you end up getting punished.

“At the start of the second half we needed to change the shape because they were on top.

“We defended well but they were picking up too many second balls.

“It’s a mistake with five minutes to go which has cost us but we want to look at the positives.

“It’s another point on board and 17 points for the quarter which is better than last season.”

The Fifers had tested Max Currie’s goal a couple of times before they did eventually break the deadlock.

Ross Davidson played a ball into the feet of Ryan Wallace with the Fife striker’s excellent first touch taking him away from his marker.

He scampered clear on goal and neatly finished.

The Fifers should have been out of sight before the interval with Anton Dowds and Scott Agnew both wasting glorious chances.

Stranraer hadn’t been at the races but were much improved in the second half.

Cameron Elliott broke clear on the Fife goal and should have pulled his side level but found Jordan Hart equal to his drive.

They kept on pressing forward and Andy Stirling was the next to go close with a volley which was deflected wide.

Stranraer had one last throw of the dice and introduced towering striker Robert Jones with just more than five minutes left.

Within seconds he pulled his side level with his first touch, nodding home after Hart had failed to collect a Stranraer cross.

It was a deserved equaliser but East Fife almost got their noses back in front through Danny Denholm but his header flashed wide.