Annan reaction

Stirling Albion boss Dave Mackay praised his side for digging in for a 1-0 win against fourth-placed Annan Athletic at Forthbank on Saturday.

Darren Smith’s eighth goal of the season earned the Binos a fifth straight league success for the first time since season 2008/09 and ended Annan’s five-game winning streak.

Mackay, who confirmed that central defender Ross Smith had been substituted after suffering a dead leg, said: “It wasn’t pleasing on the eye and I’ll not be looking the DVD out for it but we ground out a win – this is the sort of game we would have lost seven or eight weeks ago.

“I’m delighted for the players because they have been working very hard – there is a togetherness and commitment and it keeps the run going. Darren Smith took his goal really well and it was a great save from Chris Smith at the end to get another clean sheet for the team.

“The pressure was on everyone but we have stuck together and turned it around – we didn’t play particularly well against Annan but the defence was solid.”

Annan boss Jim Chapman said: “Our final decision-making was poor but I didn’t think we were in any danger in the game. We looked as if we were playing with the handbrake on but on chances created I think Annan had the better of them.”