Elgin City 1 Albion Rovers 1 match review

Mar 26 2011 By Advertiser newsdesk

IRN-BRU THIRD DIVISION:

ELGIN CITY 1

ALBION ROVERS 1

STEVIE CANNING controversially received two red cards as Albion Rovers were held at Borough Briggs.

The influential midfielder walked for a second bookable offence in the 74th minute at Elgin on Saturday and was sent-off for dissent by referee Kevin Clancy after the final whistle.

Boss Paul Martin was furious with Canning's second booking for coming on to the pitch without the whistler's permission after he received treatment for a nasty foot injury.

He said: "The whole club is disappointed with some of the decisions we've received."

A dejected Canning added: "I’ve never come across anything like it.

"The Clyde game last week was the first time I’ve been suspended in my career but now I could be given a long ban for what happened. I want to be part of these last few weeks."

Martin confirmed he'd now be contacting SFA referees' boss John Fleming about decisions which have gone against his side in their last two games against Elgin and Clyde.

Rovers were missing the injured strike pairing of John Gemmell (knee) and Iain Smith (fractured jaw and nose).

But it was a successful first half for the Coatbridge part-timers after they took a 19th minute lead when Robert Love netted.

The home side responded after the break, though, with Craig Gunn nodding home his 15th goal of the season past keeper Derek Gaston.

Rovers' task of emerging with a positive result suffered a dent when Canning was sent-off in dubious fashion having just returned from a one-match ban.

However, the Cliftonhill men held on for what could prove to be a useful share of the spoils.

Martin added: "We missed so many chances and the game should have been over with by half-time.

"We are happy with a point but we deserved to win the game."

Rovers are now in third place in the Third Division table, six points behind leaders Arbroath who they play next Saturday.

The gap to Berwick Rangers, in fifth spot and just outside the promotion play-off zone, is seven points.

Elgin City: Donnelly; Dempsie, Niven, Kaczan, Duff, Inglis, Nicolson, O'Donoghue, Gunn, Cameron, Crooks.

Substitutes: Lawrie, Wilson, Frizzel, Edwards, Calder(gk).

Booked: Nicolson, Frizzel.

Albion Rovers: Gaston; Reid, Donnelly, Lumsden, McGowan; Ferry, Innes, Stevenson, Canning; Love, Chaplain.

Substitutes: Lawless, Hamilton, Gilmartin, Benton, Flynn(gk).

Booked: Lumsden, Innes. Sent-off: Canning.

Referee: Kevin Clancy.

*FOR more from Rovers analysis, reaction and stats, see Wednesday's Advertiser.