Albion Rovers suffer 3-1 defeat at Elgin City

Feb 10 2010 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge

ALBION ROVERS fans won’t quite be dialling 999 for emergency but they will be casting nervous glances towards the telephone.

This result most certainly didn’t form part of the great playoff masterplan.

In securing their first home league victory of the season, second-bottom Elgin sentenced an injury-hit Rovers to a third successive defeat.

Paul Martin’s men, who were scheduled to host Livingston last night, saw their Third Division winless run extended to nine games on the Moray coast; the gap between the Coatbridge part-timers and the play-off zone stretched to seven points.

These are, indeed, anxious times, with the situation worsened further when you take into account the fact that Rovers are without a number of first-team players.

Martin took a threadbare pool just of 14 players to Borough Briggs with even one of that collection unfit.

Back-up keeper Jamie Ewings managed to take his place on the bench but an ankle injury is proving problematic. First-choice shot-stopper Derek Gaston simply must remain fit.

The manager did list a full matchday squad of 16 on the teamsheet but Alan Reid and Phil McGrath were present in black ink only.

The defensive duo had gone down with a sickness bug and did not even travel up the A9. Their inclusions were a Rovers attempt to appear respectable and to lure the home side into a false sense of security.

Martin was forced to field a makeshift rearguard with midfielders Danny Ferry and Steven McKeown at right-back and centre-half respectively. It showed.

As if life wasn’t hard enough, Rovers had to change things up-front midway through the second half when goalscorer Marc McCusker trooped off with a head knock.

It never rains but it pours sometimes. Martin’s injury complaints are justifiable but he knows supporters have a tendency to only look as far as the bottom line – results. And in this department, Rovers have hit the proverbial brick wall. Since their last league success on October 10, at Elgin ironically enough, the Cliftonhill men have won two games in 13.

Rovers didn’t help themselves with some poor defending. Elgin took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Craig Gunn converted a spot-kick after Alan Benton had committed a foul in the box.

McCusker levelled in the 51st-minute but parity lasted only four minutes with Gunn again on target for the hosts. Brian Cameron wrapped up the points for Elgin.

“All three of Elgin’s goals came as a result of schoolboy defending,” said a disappointed Martin. “We looked like a team who were tired and stretched to the limit.

“I asked players to play in unfamiliar roles but we weren’t up to it. We went up there with only 12 outfield players.

“We were all over the place in defence and midfield, and in the face of adversity, we were caught short.

“I have no qualms with the result. We were poor but there are reasons for that and they are there for everyone to see.

“We, more than anyone in this league, can’t afford to have this many players missing. You can’t go anywhere and hope to get a result with half a team missing.”

The second quarter of the league campaign has not proved fruitful for Rovers who amassed a total of just four points in nine games. The good work which saw the team claim 19 points in their opening set of fixtures is in danger of being undone.

Matches against leaders Livingston, and this weekend’s opponents East Stirling will not decide their fate.

But the two games in four days at Annan Athletic and Stranraer undoubtedly will. It’s crunch time.

Advertiser man of the match (3pts) - Marc McCusker. Capped good shift up-front with goal. Pat Walker (2pts), Ciaran Donnelly (1pt).

Moment of the match: The head injury suffered by McCusker was a problem Rovers could have done without.

Elgin: Gibson, Niven, David A Craig, Kaczan, David W Craig, Morrison, Gunn (Cameron 85), MacAulay, Frizzell, MacDonald (Crooks 82), Sutherland. Subs not used: Edwards, Calder, Dunn(gk).

Booked: David W Craig, Kaczan.

Albion Rovers: Gaston; Ferry, Benton, McKeown, McGowan; Donnelly, Tyrrell, Canning, McLeod; McCusker (McFarlane 64), Walker. Subs not used: Dignam, Ewings(gk).

Booked: McFarlane.

Referee: Gary Hilland.

Attendance: 326