Stirling Albion's chances of play-off spot on knife-edge after damaging home defeats

Stirling Albion’s play-off hopes are all but over after two damaging home defeats in four days.

On Saturday, Darren Young’s men went down 3-0 to Annan Athletic and on Tuesday, an 89th minute goal by Sean Fagan gave Albion Rovers three valuable points in their fight against relegation from cinch League 2.

Kelty Hearts are closing in on the title and Annan and Forfar look set for the play-offs, with one of Edinburgh City or Stenhousemuir likely to join them.

The defeat leaves the Binos 11 points behind fourth-placed City with six games left and another loss at home to Stranraer on Saturday, combined with a win for Edinburgh City will mean another season in the bottom rung.

Saturday's game against Annan saw little between the teams in the first half but Aidan Smith struck just before the break and top scorer Tommy Goss bagged a second-half double.

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Young said afterwards: “Overall it was really poor from us but there was nothing in it in the first half – we competed well enough and had a couple of chances but we didn’t take them.

“We took our opportunities against Cowdenbeath and Forfar and that gives you a platform.

“We concede a goal just before half-time from a long throw and Annan showed why they are the second-top scorers in the league. They probably had four shots on target and scored three goals – they were ruthless.

“Two of the goals were from set-pieces and for the other goal we had three or four opportunities to deal with the situation and we didn’t do it.

“The chance we had to score when their goalkeeper was on the floor and our player manages to pass the ball back to him summed up our day."