Stirling Albion 2
Cowdenbeath 1
cinch SPFL League Two

A FOURTH successive defeat, at Forthbank last night (Tuesday), has left Cowden really struggling to avoid the relegations play-offs.

A late Stirling goal left the Blue Brazil two adrift, despite a decent second-half performance from the visitors.

But they kept battling and sub Liam Buchanan’s typical good finish, from nine yards, reduced the deficit but it was another loss and now they cannot afford to lose at Stranraer on Saturday, as only Albion Rovers are within seven points now.

It was a disappointing result for Cowden who put a lot more shots in after a disappointing first period when they just did not create enough chances.

Stirling made a good start to the game and in two minutes Dale Carrick went close with a shot which just drifted wide, but in 11 minutes the striker hit the target when his 20 yarder flew into the bottom right hand corner.

Not the opening the Blue Brazil wanted, but in 27 minutes the Albion had a blow when defender Mason Hancock limped off to be replaced by Nathan Flanagan.

Cowden forced a corner a minute later but the set piece was cleared by Stirling, then on the half hour Craig Barr’s right footed shot from 10 yards, after another corner, went just over.

However, Albion came back into the picture and Cammy Gill came to the rescue for Cowden with a good save from Kieran Moore, then a minute later Akeel Francis, of Stirling, fired a 12 yarder just too high.

But as Stirling finished the half the brighter side Kurtis Roberts saw his 20 yarder also go over the bar.

Cowdenbeath opened the second period with Quinn Coulson on for Sam Ompreon and Bobby Barr saw Blair Currie defy him with a good save from 11 yards.

Soon after Currie pulled off a really good save from Coulson from all of 25 yards, but Albion recovered and Jack Leitch had a go from 20 yards which was just too high.

With 13 minutes left Cowden midfielder Gavin Morrison’s 20 yarder was held by Currie but with just six minutes to go CARRICK struck again to tie the points up for Albion.

The striker’s right foot 10 yarder, from a Francis assist, flew past a strand Gill to leave Cowdenbeath pointless again and sustaining a fourth successive defeat.

But three minutes into time added on sub Liam BUCHANAN got a consolation for the Blues with a well placed nine yarder.

Stirling Albion: Currie (7); Banner (6) (Mackin 50 (4)) , Dunsmore (7), McGeachie (6), McNiff (7), Hancock (5) ( Flanagan 27 (7), Moore (6), Leitch (7), Carrick (8) (Paterson 89 (2)), Francis (7), Roberts (6). Subs not used, McLean Law and Love.

Cowdenbeath: Cammy Gill (6); Craig Thomson (7), Fraser Mullen (6) (Harvey Swann 78 (3)), Jamie Todd (6), Craig Barr (7), Sam Denham (6), Alex Ferguson (6), Gavin Morrison (7), Sam Ompreon (5) (Quinn Coulson 46 (6)), Bobby Barr (6) (Liam Buchanan 73 (4)), Robbie Buchanan (6) (Dave Carty 74 (3)). Subs not used, Scott Dunn, Kyle Miller, Andy Barrowman and, Craig McDowall.

Referee - Duncan Williamson (6).