Two-minute spell of madness costs Stirling Albion as boss bemoans side's self-sabotage

By Scott Gallacher

Stirling boss Alan Maybury reckoned his side only had themselves to blame after a quickfire first-half brace saw the Binos crash to defeat at Stranraer.

The Binos had been well in a competitive contest at Stair Park until poor defending allowed Kirk McKnight to force home an opener two minutes from the break.

Airdrie youngster Elliot Dunlop then added further salt to the half-time team talk with a second just moments later with a tap-in at the back post as Albion’s defensive frailties came to the fore once again.

Robbie Foster’s last-gasp third was merited in the end for Chris Aitken’s hard-working Blues, with the result coming as a blow for Stirling in their efforts to make up ground in the League Two midtable muddle.

The Stirling gaffer said his side failed to manage the contest despite a strong start - and praised Stranraer keeper Josh Lane for his performance between the sticks as he kept out the Stirling efforts which did arrive.

Maybury said: “We shot ourselves in the foot; for 30-40 minutes of the game, we were in control of it, did the basics and won our headers and on the front foot and, out of nothing, we allow a cross into the box and find ourselves 1-0 down.

“The disappointing thing is that we have the setback of the goal but we’re facing the second half downhill, these things are in our favour but we allow a simple ball down the channel and don’t get the cover and give them an easy second.

“We spoke about how to manage things in the second half, but we became too desperate too quickly, too gung-ho and open.

“Their goalkeeper got man of the match and made a few really good saves but I don’t think in the second half we did enough to get back in the game and we can’t hide away from that