Albion Rovers gain vital point at Forfar

Oct 22 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

SMALL crumbs of comfort are better than being left with nothing at all.

This game may have been branded the worst he’d ever seen by Forfar manager Dick Campbell, but for Rovers it was a step in the right direction.

Before kick-off, the Coatbridge outfit lay seven points adrift of the play-off zone.

By the end of 90 dreary minutes which saw Paul Martin’s men create chances and keep a clean sheet, that gap was reduced to six.

And who knows how important this stalemate in Angus could prove to be at the end of the campaign.

Rovers know regular victories are a must during the second quarter of the season if they are to fulfil their ambition of reaching the top four.

But avoiding damaging defeats at the venues of their play-off rivals are also important factors and, in that regard, Martin’s troops could reflect on a positive outcome.

“We were well-organised and kept our shape but I feel we didn’t pass the ball well,” said the manager.

“The conditions were difficult but we still put a lot into the game and I think we did more than enough to merit a victory.

“We are just not making the best of our chances at the moment and there was a sense of regret on the team bus because we know we had opportunities out there.

“Both myself and the players feel a wee bit hard done by in terms of our league position. We still think we are a bit better than how we have done.”

Forfar came close in the seventh minute when Kevin McLeish’s long-range effort dipped over the bar following good work by Graham Gibson.

On-loan keeper Chris McCluskey made a decent save to deny Stephen Tulloch while at the other end, Marc Pollock was thwarted by keeper Ally Brown.

There were few other goalscoring opportunities to excite the punters as the first half wore on as both sides struggled with the windy conditions.

Rovers were left frustrated when Tommy Coyne latched onto a long McCluskey clearance but with only Brown to beat, the striker’s final effort was weak and comfortably dealt with.

Martin threw on Graham Eaglesham and Brendan Crozier in a bid to inject fresh life into his side’s attacking threat.

And Crozier wasted no time in getting involved in the action, blasting a shot from distance past the post.

Fellow substitute Eaglesham could have broken the deadlock but Brown blocked his effort after good work from Crozier.

The Loons might have sneaked it in the dying seconds but a great lunge by defender Alan Benton ensured a share of the spoils for the visitors.

Advertiser man of the match: Marc Pollock. Constantly tried to make things happen in attack.

Moment of the match: Tommy Coyne missed a glaring chance in the second half with only the keeper to beat.

Forfar: Brown, McNally (Winter 27), Smith, McLeish, Dunn, Tulloch, Gordon, G Gibson, Lilley (Campbell 54), Brady, Kilgannon (Fotheringham 54). Subs not used: Donnachie, J Gibson.

Booked: McLeish.

Albion Rovers: McCluskey, Reid, McGowan, Donnelly, Benton, Lumsden, Harris, Canning, Coyne (Ferry 78), Pollock (Eaglesham 68), Adam (Crozier 68). Subs not used: R Walker, Mitchell (gk).

Booked: Donnelly.

Referee: Gary Hilland.

Attendance: 426.