East Stirlingshire 1 v 1 Albion Rovers

Attendance : 626

Scorers ~ East Stirlingshire : Robertson (Pen. 87). Albion Rovers : Mercer (24).

Albion Rovers went into this match knowing that a defeat of sufficient severity would result in them replacing the Falkirk side at the foot of the table. This at the venue which saw Rovers win 8-1 less than 8 months ago, how times have changed since then. The 'Shire line-up included former Rovers striker Iain Diack who is on loan at Firs Park from Morton. He is not remembered fondly by fans for the perceived deceitful way he left Cliftonhill.

It was Diack who had the first shot at goal but his effort was blocked on the edge of the Rovers box. Jered Stirling whipped in the ball a couple of times without success before Paul McManus tried his luck from the edge of the 'Shire box but he was leaning back and the shot went high. McManus was the provider shortly afterwards when he headed the ball over a defender for John Bradford to run onto, unfortunately 'keeper Mitchell got there first. 

Rovers were firmly in control and good lead up play by Stirling came to nothing when Silvestro saw his shot miss by a fair margin. In 17 minutes John Bradford had a penalty claim denied when he seemed to go down in stages in the 'Shire box. Marc McKenzie thrust upfield to provide the ball to Paul McManus on the 6 yard line but the resultant shot was blocked and the ball went out for a goal-kick.

Jered Stirling swung in a high ball with a free-kick from close to the corner to which the 'keeper rose only to drop it, unfortunately there were no Rovers man on the spot to capitalise on the mistake. McManus had a shot go over the home bar, closely followed by 'keeper Mitchell punching clear a Stirling corner when it seemed easier to catch.

In 23 minutes a well judged long ball from Stirling found Jim Mercer in the East Stirlingshire box, the big man was off balance as he turned to face the goal and he fell to the ground. He was adjudged to have handled the ball when he fell and the whistle blew as he struck the ball into the net.

One minute later Rovers deservedly took the lead when the unmarked Jim Mercer rose to meet a Stirling corner with a bullet header. A few minutes later Rovers had another claim for a penalty denied, this time Graeme McCaul seemed to fall over a defender and although sometimes given this would have been a very soft award.

A rare East Stirlingshire foray upfield gave David Harvey a free-kick which he put onto the head of Ross Donaldson. The consequential header was wide of the target when it seemed easier to score, Chris Fahey having no chance if the ball shot had been accurate.

'Shire rallied before half-time with Donaldson providing the ball for Diack to gain a corner with a deflected shot. Jamie McKay had his header tipped over the bar by Fahey following the corner.

Half Time

The second period started quietly and it took 5 minutes for noteworthy play to occur with a Stirling corner being flicked by Mercer to McManus who had his shot deflected out for an unproductive corner. Chris Fahey was called into action a few minutes later when he punched clear a 'Shire corner.

Rovers hopes were lifted when Stirling lined up a free-kick 30 yards from goal. The ball hit off the East Stirlingshire wall and it got to the home 'keeper who once more failed to hold it, McManus just missed out when Mitchell recovered the ball.

Kerr Potter had his name taken by Mr. Brown for persistent fouling and was soon followed into the wee black book by Iain Diack who flattened Graeme McCaul.

McCaul tried a long range shot which failed to find its intended target before Diack had a shot of his own miss. Jim Mercer was next to try his luck from close range but was denied by the opposition defence.

Ross Donaldson received a yellow card bizarrely for complaining when his team were awarded a free-kick. Paul McLaughlin was next to incur the wrath of Mr. Brown when he was booked for persistent fouling.

In 83 minutes Joe Robertson hit a low and hard free-kick from about 30 yards which Chris Fahey did well to get down to and just as importantly hold. Seconds later Rovers were on the attack and McKenzie crossed the ball into the box for McManus who could only manage a glancing header which didn't trouble Tony Mitchell.

Just when travelling fans thought their side was going to secure their first away win of the season Kerr Potter tugged Iain Diack when he was running away from goal, the resulting penalty award was inevitable. Robertson hit the ball low and slightly to the left of Fahey who has guessed wrongly.

Summary

Rovers lived to rue a series of missed chances in the murky Firs Park conditions and have now to lift themselves for next week's Scottish cup tie at home to Arbroath. Fans and officials alike will be hoping for a repeat of their cup exploits earlier this season and can happily forget the league for a short time.

East Stirlingshire : Mitchell, Harvey, Livingstone, MacKay, Oates, McGhee, Walker, Thywisson (McAuley 70), Donaldson, Diack, Robertson. Subs Not Used : Ure, Dunbar, Ross, Gilpin.

Albion Rovers : Fahey, Paterson, Stirling, Potter, McLaughlin, McCaul, McKenzie, Silvestro, Bradford, McManus, Mercer. Subs Not Used : Boyle, Selkirk, McLaren, Connolly, Peat.

Referee : Tom Brown

Man of the Match - Jim Mercer

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