Penalty success on the bounce
Binos’gaston is hero of the hour in another shootout
It was more penalty success for Stirling Albion on Tuesday after a late Stranraer comeback forced the Binos into their second shootout in as many games in Premier Sports Cup Group H.
The hosts had looked bright in the opening half and deserved their lead when the oranges were cut, but struggled as the match wore on, with their League Two rivals snatching two goals in the final ten minutes to end the match in stalemate.
But just like at Hamilton, keeper Derek Gaston was the hero with a pair of stops to seal the extra point.
Stirling were to threaten first with Ally Roy springing the Stranraer offside trap and
cutting back for an onrushing Callum Crane, who blazed well over from the left edge of the box.
It was a slow pre-season affair as both sides felt each other out – but it was the Binos who broke their scoring duck for the season on 26 minutes.
Aaron Weir – making his full debut at right back – surged down the flank and reached the byline before crossing for fellow debutant Cammy Mckinley to slam into the net from 12 yards.
Mark Russell was inches away from bringing the visitors level on the stroke of half-time, just failing to get a boot on a dangerous Matty Grant centre.
The visitors were almost on terms seconds into the second period, Elliot Dunlop’s flicked header from a corner forcing Gaston into a full stretch stop.
Sean Mcintosh was next to try his luck for the Blues, whistling a shot inches over the bar from distance after the Binos had fallen asleep from a short corner.
The away side blew another glorious chance to level the match when a deep cross found Grant at the back post, but he smashed his shot against the side netting.
The Binos struggled to create much in the second half as Stranraer pressed for the equaliser.
But against the run of play, Stirling doubled their advantage on 79 minutes.
Harry Wright cut in from the left side and fired a low shot which should have been claimed by visiting keeper Jacob Pazikas, but he could only palm into the path of Ally Roy to tap home.
After scoring his first Albion goal, Roy almost had his second moments later, haring in behind the Stranraer defence once again before hitting a shot inches wide of the right side.
Just as the home faithful were starting to relax, the away side found their shooting boots, sub Ryan Edgar finishing from outside the box with his first touch on 83 minutes to reduce the Binos’ lead.
The comeback was completed two minutes later as subs Thomas Orr and Deryn Lang combined, with Orr crossing for Lang to tap in from close range.
It was a bitter blow for the hosts and the Blues almost added the final sting in the tail, with Orr’s cross finding Russell at the back post, but his header was blocked.
The action was end-to-end as the match reached its conclusion and Stirling almost nicked it when Ricky Waugh found Roy in the box, but Pazikas spread himself well for a good stop.
Roy had another chance for glory with another powerful drive from the edge of the area which Pazikas was forced to shovel away from goal.
There was to be no winner in the 90 as Stirling were taken to the extra point shootout for the second group match in a row.
Gaston made a pair of low saves from ex-bino Adam Cummins and Thomas Orr while Stirling struck a perfect quartet of spot kicks.
It secured the home side fourth place in the section ahead of their final day trip to Dingwall to take on Premiership Ross County.