Edinburgh City boss 'hugely disappointed' by Stirling Albion defeat but praises Celtic starlet's contribution

James McDonaugh frustrated at home defeat but Grant Savoury debut was a bright spot

Scott Shepherd tries to work an opening

Edinburgh City boss James McDonaugh admitted he left his players in no uncertain terms of what he thought of the 1-0 defeat by Stirling Albion.

An unmarked Jordan McGregor netted the game’s only goal in the 69th minute, turning home Kyle Banner’s teasing cross to register Albion’s fourth consecutive win on the road.

Nicky Hogarth in the visitors’ goal was majestic, twice denying Craig Thomson and Jordan Sinclair from set plays while he also tipped over a net-bound Liam Henderson header.

However, the hosts didn’t penetrate the Stirling goal nearly enough despite finding themselves a goal down at Ainslie Park.

The one posotive for the Citizens was news that league leaders Cove Rangers, who are six points better off, had relinquished a two-goal lead in the closing ten minutes and had to settle for a share of the spoils at Albion Rovers.

“They’ve been told what I thought of the performance,” a frustrated McDonaugh said afterwards.

“It was a hugely disappointing outcome. I thought we defended really poorly for their goal and even though we had plenty of the ball, we didn’t create nearly enough. We just struggled.

“Their goal spooked us a bit as the guy was on his own in the middle of the box and that can’t happen. We had to make a change with Conrad (Balatoni) and that was an area he probably would have been there to head the ball away. But after they scored, we need to do more to try and win the game.

“The players we do have are good enough. The gap should be down to three points and it’s not so it’s another missed opportunity. Cove draw a game or lose and we go and do the same. We have to capitalise on these opportunities.”

On-loan Celtic winger Grant Savoury made his debut coming on as a second-half substitute and McDonaugh added. “He’s an old fashioned type dribbler so there’s not many of those in the game.

"I thought he was decent when he came on in the second half. He ran with the ball well but there’s a couple of things he needs to tidy up on but I thought it was a good start for him.”

Edinburgh City: Antell, Thomson, Balatoni (Savoury 46), Laird (B Henderson 75), Handling, Sinclair (Holmes 65), Wilson, Crane, Shepherd, L Henderson, Harris. Subs: Mason, Brown, Kane, Court.

Stirling Albion: Hogarth, McGeachie, Creaney, Banner, McLean, McGregor, Wilson, Docherty, Wright (Hughes 65), Mackin (Bikey 59), Duffy (Truesdale 89). Subs: Jardine, Scott, Heaver, Trialist.

Referee: Graham Grainger.

Attendance: 336.