Match Report - By Steven Mew

City made the long trip south to Stranraer in what was a must win game for the visitors if they are to somehow pull themselves off of the bottom of the table but even the most optimistic supporter would have said before the match, “We’re doomed!”. Stranraer, however, looked reasonably safe from relegation throughout the season until Queens started picking up a few fantastic results, which have seen Stranraer slip down to 9th place. With teams such as Morton and Partick Thistle set to be in the play-offs, the battle at the bottom is going to be a very interesting one as the season starts to draw to a close. The City board made a great gesture by paying in the 18 hardy souls who travelled down to Stair Park on the supporter’s bus.

Stranraer, like Brechin, have been plagued with injuries all season but the Blue’s current situation is quite extraordinary. The likes of Andy Dowie, Paul Walker and Scott McLean are not likely to feature again this season and on the way back down from the Ross County game mid-week, the bus had to pull up several times to allow midfielder John Maisano to ‘get some air’. His condition wasn’t much better when they got back but he has been given tablets in order to stabilise him, and hopefully John makes a speedy recovery.

Stranraer started ‘swiftly’ and with just six minutes into the game they netted the opener. Stephen Swift had a shot for goal which deflected off of Scott Walker and the ball trickled into the far corner with Craig Nelson stranded. It was a cruel blow for City as the shot would not have troubled Craig Nelson had it not been for Scott Walker’s intervention.

Barely four minutes later and Stranraer got a second goal. Michael Moore made a run into the box before he was brought down from behind by Scott Walker and the referee pointed straight to the spot. David Hamilton, Stranraer's top scorer, stepped up for the spot kick and sent Craig Nelson the wrong way with a confident penalty.

City, despite being two down, were by no means out and started putting pressure on the hosts who took their foot off the pedal a little. Brian Gilfillan deflected Grant Johnson’s effort onto the outside of the post and out for a corner. From the resulting corner Barry John Corr made a fantastic save to deny David Whites goalbound header.

The game then became very dull but both sides created a chance each before the break. Leigh Hinds, having one of his best games in a Stranraer shirt, cut in well from the left before striking a powerful shot which was saved by Nelson at this right hand post. Darren Smith, at the other end cut in from the left also but his shot was struck across the goal.

At half time, temporary management duo Paul Deas and John Hillcoat took off Scott Walker and put on Charlie King and reverted to a 3-5-2 formation.

That switch almost came off when City nearly scored a bizarre goal. Barry John Corr was watching a David White header who past the post but the ball spun on the bounce and hit the post, much to the keepers relief!

City attacked in numbers while Stranraer sat back content with a clean sheet. Craig McEwan and Darren Smith both had shots from outside the box which finished up in the stand behind the goal while Chris Templeman’s desperate shot from distance nearly went out for a throw in.

Stranraer were dangerous on the counter attack and nearly snatched a third goal when Leigh Hinds cut in from the left, got past a couple of City defenders along the edge of the box before striking for goal but Craig Nelson got down well to save comfortably.

That appeared to be the last action of the game in what was a very boring second half.

This result almost means that City are officially relegated. City sit 15 points adrift of both Queen of the South and Stranraer, with only 15 left to play for. Also, Queens and Stranraer’s goal difference is far superior to City’s.

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St Mirren 2 Airdrie United 1

SPL football is almost guarenteed for the Buddies.