Hilton’s winner seals a warm-up win for Stranraer
STRANRAER returned to action with a narrow 2-1 win over DUMBARTON in a friendly played in Clydebank.
The Blues started the brighter and could have gone ahead early in the first half when Joao Victoria cut inside from the left and dragged a shot narrowly wide.
New Stair Park signing Ally Taylor also went close soon after when he curled a right-footed effort just past the post.
Despite the good start, it was Sons who opened the scoring midway through the half when a well-worked Ross Forbes corner found its way to Jamie Wilson on the edge of the area and the striker lobbed Greg Fleming.
Both sides made wholesale changes in the second half for their first game in three months.
Stranraer levelled just before the hour mark when Blues defender Tom Devitt rose highest to head in Andy Stirling’s corner-kick.
Then substitute James Hilton grabbed the winning goal five minutes later when he drilled the ball low across Dumbarton trialist goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom.
Stranraer gaffer Stevie Farrell said after the game: “We haven’t had a lot of time to get games in. However, it’s a good win to help prepare us for Queens Park next weekend.”
Sons boss Jim Duffy added: “We certainly looked rusty, but it was a good opportunity to have a look at some new players.”
FORFAR and ELGIN CITY warmed up for their campaigns restarting next weekend with a goalless draw at the Loons’ Station Park.
New recruits Andy Munro, Callum Moore, Martin Scott and Grant Anderson all started for the hosts, with striker Scott firing an early chance off target.
Connor O’keefe went close for the visitors with an acrobatic overhead kick, then one-time Raith Rovers winger Anderson hooked wide 12 minutes from the break.
In the opening stages of the second half, Elgin goalkeeper Thomas Mchale failed to deal with a Murray Mackintosh shot, but the ball was scrambled away from the goal-line by a defender.
Forfar substitute Jordon Northcott tried his luck when he curled in a 20-yarder on the hour mark, but keeper Mchale clutched on to that effort confidently.
The hosts had two further chances to break the deadlock.
Daniel Scally’s powerfully-hit drive rose over the bar, then Munro headed over the crossbar.
Ten minutes from time, Jordan Allan tumbled in the penalty box, however referee Mike Roncone was not interested in Forfar’s appeals for a penalty.