Stirling return to Forthbank for their final Saturday appearance of the season at home after the defeat away to Livingston where on loan Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez scored the first goal of the match for the Binos but unfortunately Livingston made their way back into the game and took the lead early on in the second half through former Bino Robert Snodgrass, his goal made today’s task even harder for Allan Moore’s side to keep hope of Division One survival alive.

On a chilly day at Forthbank it was Queen of the South who kicked off shooting towards the monument end of Forthbank and just as the half kicked off Queen of the South had a excellent chance to take the lead as Stevie Tosh was through on goal but his shot went wide past the right hand post of Scott Christie’s goal. The Binos were the next to have a good chance to take the lead with a Stewart Devine free kick that found the head of Paul Murphy who just managed to send the ball past Jamie McDonald’s right hand post.

The Binos were soon back attacking the Queens defence with a long ball finding Jay Rodriguez who managed to flick the ball onto Chris Aitken who managed to get of a shot that was dipping in bellow the bar but McDonald managed to gather the shot and clear the danger for Queens. The next action of the half involved referee Steven Nicholls when he booked Queens played Robert Harris for his late challenge on Steven Bell and then seconds later it was Stirling’s Jay Rodriguez who was booked for his heavy tackle on Robert Harris.

As the half progressed the football on display deteriorated and it was turning out to be a game where none of the players looked as if they were going to fight for the win, but Queens midfielder Stephen Dobbie decided he would try and get a goal before half time for Queens but he could only manage a weak shot directly at Scott Christie. The final notable action of the half came when Steven Bell was the next player to be booked after Robert Harris managed some impressive diving moves after Bell managed to flick the ball away from Harris.

Half-time: Stirling Albion 0 v 0 Queen of the South.

As the teams came out for the second half Queens made a change with Robert Harris being replaced by John O’Neill. With the Binos kicking off it was the home side who managed to get the first chance of the half when Nathan Taggart set up Rodriguez for a shot that was blocked in to the path of Chris Aitken who managed to take a shot at McDonald but his effort was wide of the mark. The Binos continued their attack on the Queens goal and Rodriguez soon turned provider for Taggart who could only manage a tame shot at McDonald who easily gathered the effort. The next chance for the Binos fell to Aitken but unfortunately for Stirling Aitken’s goal detector must have been out of order as another shot went flying out past McDonald’s goal.

An off-target effort from Aitken

The second half was starting to go the way of the first half with neither side wanting to do much to change the score line it was looking like The Binos have accepted their fate of relegation and that Queens were going into self-preservation mode for next weeks semi-final cup clash with Aberdeen. Queens first real chance of the half came when Stephen Dobbie headed the ball on towards Jim Thomson who could only manage to send his effort up and over the bar.

Queens made their second change of the game when Stevie Tosh was replaced by Eric Paton. Stirling were again in with another chance to get in front when Rodriguez seen his excellent shot deflected behind for a corner, Rodriguez again managed to hit another shot at McDonald who was forced to make a spectacular dive to send the ball out for a corner. As the half progressed the Stirling defence was being pressured further and Stephen Dobbie nearly took advantage of Scott Christie missing a chance to pluck the ball away from him but luckily for The Binos Dobbie’s goal detector was having problems as his shot went skimming across the face of goal and out for a goal kick.

Queens had a golden opportunity to have a penalty when Andy Graham pushed Brian Gilmour of the ball but Steven Nicolls didn’t see the push and the linesman wasn’t want to be part of the action as it looked like a clear penalty.

Andy Graham tuggs at Brian Gilmour's jersey

Stirling made their first change of the game when Allan Moore decided that David McKenna wasn’t going to do much damage and on come Colin Cramb to try and break the dead lock. Queens also made their final change of the game when Neil McFarlane was replaced by Scott Robertson.

Colin Cramb was soon to make his presence known when he broke free to only send his shot over the bar. Queens nearly took the lead from a Ryan McCann free kick that nearly dipped under the bar but Scott Christie managed to get a hand on the shot and send the ball over for a corner. Stirling made their second change of the game when new signing Gary Muir replaced Nathan Taggart.

Scott Christie saves Gilmours late effort

With the game now in the closing stages it was looking like no more chances would come for either side but Colin Cramb managed to set up Steven Bell who just sent his shot wide. Then Queens had two chances to grab the win at the death through Dobbie but his first shot went over the bar and Queens final attempt at taking the three points fell to Gilmour but the effort was easily gathered by Christie. On a day where three points were needed to make things a little better for The Binos they could only manage to get a draw and now the writing is definitely on the wall as it looks like the Stirling Albion Division One flight is almost over as they look doomed to arrive in Division Two very soon.

Full-time: Stirling Albion 0 v 0 Queen of the South.

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