Stirling Albion 0 Dumbarton 0

Last updated : 07 December 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Albion's six-match winning run came to an end but they were lucky to escape with even a point at Forthbank.

Dumbarton, with just one away win all season, spurned three great chances late on to beat the Binos for the second time this term.

Albion boss Allan Moore dropped weekend hat-trick hero Chris Hay back to the bench to reinstate the 4-5-1 formation that has worked so well of late and Stirling started the match positively.

With just six minutes gone, Steven Bell picked out David O'Brien but his angled shot rebounded against the inside of the post.

Dumbarton came more into things as the half wore on and Iain Russell was denied at point-blank range from Myles Hogarth after 29 minutes before Andy Rodgers rattled the bar after a goalmouth scramble.

Stirling had a penalty appeal turned down when Scott Bannerman challenged O'Brien but the home side had a lucky escape after 52 minutes when James Allan teed up Russell whose volley flew just wide.

Substitute Hay thumped a drive just wide on a rare Albion attack and there was a frantic conclusion to the game as Dumbarton pressed for a late winner.

In the 81st minute Rodgers beat Hogarth but his lob struck the bar, then the ex-Falkirk man was clean through on goal but saw his shot turned over the top by the keeper.

With two minutes left, Allan released substitute John Gemmell but he failed to hit the target with just Hogarth to beat and Stirling hung on for a barely-deserved draw.