Elgin City 1 Stirling Albion 2
Albion’s terrific run continued with our first away league win of the season as we made it seven matches without defeat thanks to a stunning first-half double from Kieran McAnespie.
The former Arbroath midfielder, who scored his first goal for the Binos in last weekend’s 2-0 home victory over Clyde, struck a brilliant 25-yarder into the top corner after just seven minutes.
Stuart Leslie equalised for the hosts in 23 minutes when he was unmarked at the back post to score with a simple header but McAnespie smashed home a wonderful volley high into the net nine minutes before the break after a corner was only partially cleared.
It was a thoroughly deserved win and a phenomenal effort from the players, who have racked up seven matches without loss in the space of 22 days. The result lifts us to seventh spot in the table ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Berwick Rangers.
Elgin had already beaten us 3-1 and 4-1 this season but we gained revenge to inflict a fourth straight defeat on Ross Jack’s men, who have won just twice since their Forthbank triumph in November and have slipped out of the play-off places.
Albion fans might have feared we would suffer a negative reaction to the exertions of the midweek 1-1 draw against Rangers but the team were outstanding at Borough Briggs, digging in during the second half as Elgin pressed for an equaliser.
Scott Davidson started in place of Josh Flood and we went into the game without keeper David Crawford but Sam Filler proved an able deputy. We restricted City, who welcomed back several key players from injury, to few clear-cut chances.
Filler made a smart save from Leslie in the first half and a header was just too high in the dying minutes but Stirling carved out some good opportunities.
Top scorer Jordan White put in a superb shift and was unlucky not to add to his 10-goal tally when his header skimmed the bar in the first half while he also came close on a couple of occasions after the break.
McAnespie’s incredible double ultimately proved decisive but this was a team performance to be proud of and the travelling support showed their appreciation after four minutes of stoppage time.
Elgin City: Malin, Beveridge, McMullan (O’Donoghue 69), Crighton, Duff, Cameron, Gunn, Morrison (Millar 69), Leslie, Nicolson (Harkins 83), Moore.
Subs (not used): McHardy, Black (GK).
Scorer: Leslie 23
Stirling Albion: Filler, McCunnie, Forsyth, McClune, Allison (Thom 54), Bishop, McAnespie, Ferry, White, Davidson (Ashe 73), Johnston (Flood 83).
Subs (not used): Cunningham, Cleland (GK).
Scorer: McAnespie 7, 36
Referee: Nick Walsh
Crowd: 681
