Stirling Albion boss praises performance as fans' favourite leaves club for lower league football

Stirling Albion manager Darren Young was delighted with his side’s performance in Saturday’s 0-0 draw against third-placed Annan Athletic.

The Binos were the better team at Galabank and created several clear-cut chances but keeper Greg Fleming was in inspired form and the woodwork also twice came to Annan’s rescue.

Next up is a home game against bottom club Cowdenbeath on Saturday, which is followed by a Friday night trip to Edinburgh City on February 11. Stirling saw off Cowdenbeath 4-0 back in September but lost 1-0 at Central Park in December, in what proved to be Kevin Rutkiewicz’s last game in charge, and Maurice Ross’ side earned an important 1-0 win away to Albion Rovers on Saturday.

Albion have picked up points at Stenhousemuir, Stranraer and Annan since the turn of the year but their only home game so far in 2022 was a 3-0 loss to leaders Kelty Hearts on January 8.

Reflecting on Saturday’s game at Annan, Young felt his side were unlucky not to take all three points.

He said: “It was a great performance particularly after the journey down and only getting here at 3pm. Anyone here will be going away wondering how we didn’t win the game. We’ve hit the post and the bar, we created numerous chances and their goalie was man of the match.

“We were very solid defensively – we went 4-4-2 and took the game to them. Dylan Mackin and Jack Leitch had chances early on and the subs played their part as well. Kieran Moore almost scored at the end and I thought Dylan Paterson did great when he came on. He had a great strike but the keeper saved it and it was one of those days.”

Paterson moved on loan to Stirling Albion from Arbroath until the end of the season. The 21-year-old had a successful loan spell at Bo’ness Athletic in