Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark

Albion Rovers boss stunned his side didn't earn win over East Stirlingshire

Rovers needed a last-gasp equaliser to salvage a point, but Clark felt they should have had all three

by · Daily Record

Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark was left gutted that his side didn’t take three points form their clash against his old side East Stirling.

But he praised his players for fighting to the death to make sure they got something to show for their efforts.

Rovers had to come from behind twice at Cliftonhill to salvage a Lowland League point, with Peter Mendy cancelling out Jamie Penker’s 54th minute opener for Shire and then new signing Adam McMillan netting for Rovers in stoppage time for the seond week running, after a Mark Docherty penalty had restored Shire’s lead.

A third draw in nine league games leaves Rovers 11th in the table, 12 points off the top, and Clark couldn’t believe his side only walked away with a point.

He said: “Without a shadow of a doubt, we should have had three points.

“We totally dominated the first half. Did we create chances? There were maybe one or two areas where we could do a bit better, but in terms of possession and cutting out the threat of East Stirling, we were in total control.

“But if you don’t score goals, it has an effect. We were disappointed to go in at 0-0 at half-time, but it was a really good performance, apart from the end product.

“But we lost a horrendous goal from a corner. The man at the front post has got to get the ball in that area, he’s standing almost on the line, but he has not picked up his player.

“It was such a poor goal and it shouldn’t be happening. We didn’t give in, we kept plugging away and got back in the game with a good goal.

“You think then, c’mon, let’s go win the match, but we lose a goal to a penalty.

Adam McMillan scored fro Albion Rovers late on (Image: ARFC)

“Callum [Home] is adamant there is no challenge from him anywhere, but the referee had a really good view of it and decided it was a penalty and that left us chasing the game again.

“We are disappointed but we showed good character to comeback.

“Adam McMillan scores a goal and we got a point, which was the least we deserved. Adam is still young but he is a good finisher and he will do well for us.”

Rovers’ attention now turns to a Scottish Cup first round tie against West of Scotland Premier Division giants Auchinleck Talbot. Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm at Cliftonhill.

Clark has strengthened his squad ahead of that game with the signing of defender Max Ross on loan from Motherwell.

The 18-year-old signed up at Cliftonhill last week and could make his debut this weekend.

Boss Clark said: “Max is a defender who can play right-back or centre-back.

“I think we have severely lacked cover in that area for a long time, so he’ll strengthen us in that area.

“He trained with us a couple of times last week and he looks like a good player who will do well for us.”

On the home clash with West of Scotland League big guns Talbot, Clark added: “Talbot will bring a few hundred fans to the game and it will create a good atmosphere. They will 100 per cent be up for the game and we have to make sure we are the same.

“If we play as well as we did on Saturday for lots of the game [a 2-2 draw with East Stirling], and hopefully get ahead in the game and get some goals, we can hopefully progress in the cup.”

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