Stirling Albion’s busy schedule continues with a trip to Galabank to play Annan Athletic followed by a home match with Stranraer on Tuesday, kick-off 7pm.
The Binos were held to a 1-1 draw by Albion Rovers at Forthbank in midweek and needed an Andy Ryan spot-kick and penalty save from Blair Currie to earn a point against the Coatbridge outfit.
Stirling currently occupy the final play-off place and have lost just twice in 14 League 2 games this season but have found goals hard to come by since the resumption of lower league football.
They created plenty of chances against Rovers in midweek but some poor finishing and an outstanding display from on-loan Hearts keeper Harry Stone denied them victory.
Albion beat Annan 1-0 at Forthbank earlier in the season and Peter Murphy’s men have a poor home record but ended Edinburgh City’s winning run with a 1-1 draw at Ainslie Park in midweek.
The Galabankies are seventh in the table, six points above bottom club Brechin City, with four matches of the regular season still to go between now and Tuesday, April 20.
The post-split fixtures are then due to begin on Saturday, April 24.
Binos boss Kevin Rutkiewicz admits his side took a while to get going against The Coatbridge men.
He said: “We weren’t at it in the first half but you have to give Albion Rovers credit because they were in our faces and were more alert than we were.
“We were better in the second half but the three changes we made at half time weren’t a reflection of those who went off – we could have made 11 changes because we fell below the standards we have set.
“We created a lot of chances in the second half although Albion always looked dangerous on the counter attack. Cammy Binnie had been feeling a bit of a groin injury against Queen’s Park so Blair Currie came in and saved the penalty, which was a big moment.
“Harry Stone had a very good game for us at the start of the season and he had a great game for Rovers. He is a real prospect and made some great saves.
“It’s a point on the board and we move on to Annan now.
“It will be a tough game and we need to think about team selection but we have to find a way to come away with a positive performance and result.”
Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid said: “It shows how far we have come in the last few weeks that I’m disappointed only to come away with a point against a very good Stirling Albion side.”
