Match Report - By Steven Mew

City’s poor sequence of results continued as an in-form Stranraer side ran out comfortable winners at Glebe Park yesterday afternoon.

Luc Bollan’s first competitive goal for the Club had City deservedly on level terms at the break before defensive frailties would again cost Michael Paton’s side in the second half.

Gregor Jordan returned to the starting 11 after serving a one-match suspension whilst Rory Currie also came in after missing last weekend through injury. Connor Coupe made his first competitive start for the Club after a knee injury kept him out of action since pre-season, with a trialist striker also listed on the substitutes bench.

Chasing a third consecutive league win, Stranraer threatened first on 8 minutes when Lewis McMinn comfortably gathered a shot from Adam Cummins at his near post.

However the visitors didn’t have to wait much longer before they opened the scoring. RUARI PATON did well to take down a flighted ball with his chest, taking a touch inside before blasting low through the legs of McMinn.

Chances were few and far with neither side threatening again until the 34th minute when former City loanee Darryl Duffy curled a shot just wide from the edge of the box.

Visiting keeper Greg Fleming was called into action for the first time after 37 minutes when Connor Coupe’s in-swinging strike from the left hand side looked to be sneaking into the far corner, however the Blues’ keeper did well to tip over.

From the resulting corner – City got themselves back on level terms with a goal straight from the training ground. Connor Barron provided the pinpoint delivery for LUC BOLLAN to meet perfectly and power a header into the net.

There was a real let off for City just a few minutes later. Joao Victoria’s run forward was halted by a well timed challenge from Kieran Inglis, however the ball fell kindly for Thomas Orr inside the box and with just McMinn to beat, he screwed the ball wide.

City started the second half brightly and threatened early on when Connor Barron’s floated corner reached Matty Todd at the back post where he was denied by a good save from Fleming.

In a similar fashion to recent home matches, City’s hopes of getting something from the game would be dented as the visitors went on to net two quickfire goals.

Ten minutes into the second half, a corner from the left hand side was headed back across goal by Scott Robertson for THOMAS ORR who rose unchallenged to nod into the net from 6 yards out - despite the best efforts of a defender on the post.

Barely three minutes later the visitors gave themselves a two-goal cushion on the counter attack. Thomas Orr turned provider as he raced away from Gregor Jordan down the right flank before squaring the ball into the box for DARRYL DUFFY to slot home.

This simply knocked the stuffing out of an already confidence-shot City side who had limited the visitors to few chances, but were again punished for lapses of concentration at crucial times.

The impressive Orr almost doubled his tally 20 minutes from time when he got goal-side of Luc Bollan however Gregor Jordan did well to help his defensive partner out with a fine block.

City made their first substitution after 74 minutes when Kieran Inglis was replaced by a trialist striker as Michael Paton continues to look for ways to strengthen the squad ahead of the transfer window opening again in January.

The Blues’ rounded off the scoring seven minutes from time with another avoidable goal from a City point of view. Gregor Jordan’s attempted clearance inside the box rebounded off a Stranraer attacker – this allowed Orr to tee up substitute JAMES HILTON to fire high into the net.

With several minutes remaining, Scott Cusick made his return from injury when he replaced fellow Dunfermline loanee Matty Todd.

Next up for City a trip to face Stenhousemuir at Ochilview next Saturday.