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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Albion Rovers 1 Stenhousemuir 2: Striker's double downs Coatbridge hosts

Stenhousemuir came from behind to secure a comfortable 2-1 away win over Albion Rovers in League Two.

Max Wright netted within the first 15 minutes to put Brian Reid's side in control of the match but Thomas Orr soon hit back for the Warriors.

Orr made it a double after half-time as momentum shifted to Stenhousemuir and left the Cliftonhill hosts chasing shadows.

The away side were piling on the pressure and missed numerous big chances to double their advantage in the game.

While Rovers are in ninth following the defeat, they are only five points off Stenhousemuir in fourth, the final promotion play-off spot.

Reid handed Blair Malcolm straight from the off against Stenhousemuir after his arrival from Lowland League side East Kilbride. Josh Jack meanwhile was named on the home bench after signing on loan from St Mirren, alongside two trialists.

Rovers had the first chance of the afternoon through Sean Fagan's header but it sailed over on four minutes. Orr had an even better chance five minutes later with a free header six yards out, but it was too high.

Wright made sure he paid for that up the other end on 13 minutes. A great headed pass across goal by Kieran Dolan caused havoc and Wright eventually tapped home after an almighty stramash.

The lead was short-lived as striker Orr got the goal he craved. Some great work by Ross Forbes cut Rovers open and Stenhousemuir's number nine was handed an easy finish.

Proceedings commenced at Cliftonhill after a 12pm pitch inspection and the pitch was bobbly and bumpy, leading to a less than fluent affair in spells.

Chances were still aplenty though and Dolan perhaps should have pulled the trigger inside the box on 26 minutes, but opted for the unselfish pass which was eventually cleared.

David Wilson showed some initiative on 34 minutes to create an Albion Rovers chance but sent his shot into the sky while Warriors defender Sean Crighton claimed for a penalty at the other end.

It had been an even game as both teams trudged down the tunnel and for all the pitch was cutting up, Rovers and Stenny still played some decent stuff where possible.

(Stuart Vance/ReachPlc)

It should have been 2-1 Stenhousemuir just a few minutes after the break. Darren Christie had a free shot just inside the box but he blasted his effort over as the ball bobbled.

Then Orr's pass across the face of goal had to be cleared off the line and out the stadium. Reid's men were hanging on in the second half's early stages.

Eventually they succumbed to the pressure. A long ball beat the entire Rovers defence and put Christie through on goal, his pass squared to Orr for a simple finish on 54 minutes.

Christie got through on goal again but with the net at his mercy, he blasted over on the hour. Dolan had been a threat for Rovers and almost had a leveller, creating space inside Stenny's box on 77 minutes but his shot was blocked.

It was as close as Albion Rovers came to scoring before the end while Stenhousemuir cracked the bar with six minutes to go through Ross Lyon.

Nat Wedderburn was then denied Stenhousemuir's third goal three minutes from time through a fine double save from Rovers goalkeeper Cammy Binnie.

Albion Rovers XI: Binnie, Lynas, Fernie, McGowan, Fagan, Malcolm, C Wilson, D Wilson, Wright (Jack, 74), Dolan, Reilly (Wilson, 66).

Subs: Byrne, Trialist, McVey, Smith, Roberts, Trialist.

Stenhousemuir XI: Marshall, Tapping, Crighton, Jamieson, R Lyon, Wedderburn, Miller, Corbett (Anderson 90+2), Forbes, Christie (Brown, 66) Orr.

Subs: Tierney, Moreland, Graham, J Lyon, Wilson.

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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