Stirling Albion drew 1-1 with Annan Athletic at Forthbank. A win would’ve sealed the Binos position in League One, but unfortunately, despite several chances to take all three points, it wasn’t to be. Stirling end the League season in 9th place, meaning they now have to face relegation play-offs against Dumbarton.
Both goals came in the first half, with Annan taking the lead in the first 4 minutes from Benjamin Luissint. The Binos would equalise through a clever move from Josh McPake on the wing.
Darren Young made one chance to the side from last week’s win against Edinburgh City, with goal scorer Dale Hilson coming in for Kieran Offord.
It was the start that Stirling were looking to avoid, as Annan took only 4 minutes to get the opening goal. Josh Walker made a quick run down the right wing, cut back, and slid a low ball into Benjamin Luissint, who put the ball past Mark Weir from close range.
Despite the early setback, Stirling looked to keep their chins up, as a cross was put into the visitors’ box and landed to Paul McLean, but the captain’s attempt at goal was blocked well by the Annan defence.
A great corner by Jack Leitch was swung high into the box and was headed toward goal by Kyle Banner, but his attempt would just go over the bar.
Josh McPake had the next big chance for the Binos with 26 minutes played. He led Josh Galloway on a merry dance on the left wing before making a cross into the box. The cross was deflected and slammed off the top of the Annan crossbar, before being cleared from danger.
Albion continued to not let their heads drop, as they kept making dangerous runs, looking for an equaliser, contrasted with Annan camping every player inside their own half.
The continued attacks would eventually pay off as, with 37 minutes played, Jack Leitch and Josh McPake made a series of quick passes before McPake lashed the ball goalward, with the ball bouncing off the top right corner of the goal and into the Annan goal.
Half-Time: 1-1
The second half began very slowly, with Annan looking to run the clock down, killing as many minutes as possible and playing for the draw, which would be enough secure their League One spot for next season.
Stirling’s biggest chance of the second half came in the 62nd minute, as a great cutback from Josh McPake to Jack Leitch meant that he could put a low ball into the box. McPake made a clever run back inside to meet the ball once again and get a shot away, but it was deflected.
Annan had the next big chance, with William Gibson skipping past the Binos defence and putting a ball in from the right wing, it was met by Luissint who fired the ball high over the bar from just outside the Albion box.
A pinpoint accurate free kick from 25 yards out taken by Jack Leitch swung inside the Annan box and was met with precision by Paul McLean. His headed attempt on goal was saved at point-blank range by Greg Fleming.
The Binos were playing with confidence. A ball into the middle of the pitch by Dale Hilson was collected by Cameron Clark who had a shot on goal. His shot was deflected off a sliding Annan defender and forced Greg Fleming into another great save.
Running in from the left wing, Josh McPake swung a ball neatly at the Annan goal and looked like it was destined to go into the side netting. The ball, however, would just agonisingly go wide of the far post.
Chances were coming quick and fast for the Binos. Ross McGeachie got the ball inside the Annan box and had a shot from extreme close range. Annan’s tight-packed defence got to the ball first and the ball was caught mid-air by Fleming.
Fleming was keeping Annan in the game, as Stirling launched a barrage of attacks. A last-ditch save from Kyle Banners flick on goal kept the scores level.
Despite Stirling throwing absolutely everything at the game, the score would remain level, meaning Stirling are now in relegation play-offs, facing Dumbarton.
Stirling Albion: Weir, Clark, McLean, McGregor, Cummins (McGeachie 60’), Carrick (Offord 83’), Leitch, Banner, McPake, Hilson, Crane (Spence 83’)
Unused Subs: Currie, Molotnikov, Cooper, Milne
Annan Athletic: Fleming, Gibson, Luissint, Muir, MacInyre, Smith, Douglas, Galloway, Goss, Walker (Ndiweni 59’), Hunter
Unused Subs: Heraghty, Muir, Nugent, Dixon, Maxwell, Quitongo, Watson, Swinglehurst
