Stirling Albion 0, Cowdenbeath 0.

Ladbrokes League 2

Attendance-451

A MUCH better performance from Cowden in last night's re-arranged league game but still short of their recent form.

The Albion were doughty opponents, despite their lowly position in the table, and they caused a moment or two of concern for the Blues.

Most unhappy at the performances against Broxburn in the William Hill Scottish Cup, manager Gary Bollan made chances in the team with Connor Smith and Chris Hamilton back in the line-up and an appearance for young Kyle Sneddon in Archie Thomas's place in midfield.

Defensively this was a much sounder performance from Cowdenbeath and it could be that the re-appearance of teenage defender Chris Hamilton played a part in that.

If there was a slight negative it would be that the finishing was again a bit off target.

In the early stages of the game the respective defences were in charge and it was the 22nd minute before Stirling forced a couple of corners which were cleared.

In 32 minutes a corner for Cowden saw Jamie Todd fire wide from the edge of the box but at the other end it took a good save from Kevin Dabrowski, from Daryl Duffy, to keep things level.

Four minutes later David Cox saw a 20 yarder blocked by the Albion rearguard and then Kris Renton shot past from a good position.

As things started to hot up Duffy saw Dabrowski save from 10 yards and at the other end Renton saw Blair Currie save his 19 yarder before Kyle Miller saw his 35 yarder saved by the diving Currie.

The Albion's Paul Willis threatened on the re-start for Stirling before Cox headed wide but then play started to deteriorate with neither side looking dangerous.

In the closing stages Stirling saw Paul McLean see a shot blocked by Craig Barr before, with seconds left, Todd fired just over so a goalless draw, and with Edinburgh City beating Stenhousemuir 4-0 it let City nudge above Cowden on goal difference in second spot.

Stirling Albion: Currie (7); McGeachie (6), Creaney (5) (Willis 46 (5)); Thomson (7), McLean (6), McGregor (7); Jardine (7), Nicoll (6), Heaver (6) (Wright 70 (3)), Wilson (7), Duffy (6) (Mackin 89 (2)). Subs not used, Hawke, Docherty, Binnie and Banner.

Cowdenbeath: Kevin Dabrowski (7); Kyle Sneddon ( 7) (Archie Thomas 78 (3)), Chris Hamilton (8); Jamie Todd (7), Craig Barr (7), Kyle Miller (7); David Cox (6) (Jordan Allan 82 (2)), Robbie Buchanan (7), Connor Smith (6), Kris Renton (6), Harvey Swann (7). Subs not used, Jamie Pyper, Ross Pollock, Euan Valentine, Graham Taylor and Mac Whyte.

Referee- Mike Roncone (7).