Stirling Albion 0 - 1 Edinburgh City: Allan Smith grabs last-minute winner for the Citizens

Victory keeps City within two points of Ladbrokes League Two leaders Cove Rangers
Allan Smith scored the winner at Forthbank. Picture: SNSAllan Smith scored the winner at Forthbank. Picture: SNS
Allan Smith scored the winner at Forthbank. Picture: SNS

Edinburgh City’s Allan Smith netted a stoppage-time winner against Stirling Albion to keep the club's title hopes very much alive.

The striker finished off Aidan Wilson’s pass from close range to register City’s third successive win this month and one that keeps the Capital outfit within two points of Ladbrokes League Two leaders Cove Rangers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The visitors had enjoyed the bulk of possession at Forthbank before their perseverance paid off with just a couple of minutes to spare.

James McDonaugh’s side will aim to round off the perfect December when they welcome Cowdenbeath to Ainslie Park on Saturday.

“It was by no means our best performance but it’s a great three points,” McDonaugh said afterwards. “We had the desire right to the end so I think we just edged it. We tried to be on the front foot from the start and I think that showed in our starting XI. The game was quite scrappy so there wasn’t really a flow to it.

“The substitutions made a good impact and we changed the shape a wee bit too. We persevered. We knew it was going to be a tough game as Stirling Albion have some really good players so it’s a brilliant result. We’re still missing a lot of key players but hopefully it won’t be too long before they are back.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Matchwinner Smith, whose fifth goal of the season sealed all three points, said: “ We stuck together and got the result we wanted in the end. Stirling defended really well and the game turned into a bit of a basketball match.

“The teams in the division are getting better by the week so we can’t afford to be complacent.”

Stirling Albion: Binnie, Thomson, McLean, McGregor, McGeachie, Heaver (Nguene Bikey 58), Nicoll (Banner 83), Docherty, Jardine, Peters (Duffy 63), Mackin. Subs: Scott, Wilson, Bennett, Wright.

Edinburgh City: Rae, Crane, L Henderson, Balatoni, Thomson, Handling, Brown, Stewart (Wilson 79), B Henderson, Smith (Kane 90), Shepherd (Court 74). Subs: Quate, Newman, Shaw, Beveridge.

Referee: Lloyd Wilson

Attendance: 741