Stenhousemuir 1 Albion Rovers 0

Last updated : 28 February 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Stenhousemuir took advantage of this midweek rearranged match to go nine points clear at the top of the Third Division.

For the second time in four days they were outplayed by Albion Rovers, but secured the points with more clinical finishing.

This time it was Paul McGrillen who did the damage, scoring his 13th league goal of the season to draw level with another Warrior, Colin Cramb, at the top of the Third Division scoring charts.

Albion manager Jim Chapman was lamenting the lack of a prolific scorer in recent games to complete the progress that is being made and if Cramb or McGrillen were there, their lowly league position would surely be improved.

Rovers should have taken the lead in the ninth minute when there was a mix-up between John McKeown and Willie McCulloch that allowed trialist Armand One to round the keeper, but a poor first touch forced him wide and he fired past the post.

Stenhousemuir created their first chance after 25 minutes when Andy Gibson shot over from the edge of the box after being set up by a Cramb backheel.

Rovers almost opened the scoring on the half hour with a 30-yard shot by Graham McGhee that struck the post with McCulloch beaten.

With the first half coming to a close the Warriors took the lead when John Paul McBride played a deft pass down the right-hand channel for McGrillen who scooped the ball into the net.

The second half saw Albion Rovers attack the home defence from the resumption with Martin Bonnar almost equalising in the 47th minute with a diving header that went just over the bar after One had carved the defence open.

Despite all their pressure however they were unable to breech the home defence at the league leaders held on to secure an unconvincing win.