Montrose…………………1

Stirling Albion…………..1

VETERAN striker Craig Beattie was the hero for Stirling Albion after coming off the bench to net a late equaliser in last Saturday’s League Two encounter at Montrose.

The former Scotland star’s stoppage-time free kick cancelled out Graham Webster’s opener and ensured the Binos travelled home from the north east with something to show for their efforts.

The home side started brightly and could have gone ahead twice early on, with Albion keeper Chris Smith denying Gary Fraser and Ross Campbell inside the opening minutes.

Smith kept Fraser out again with a tremendous save before former Stirling man Chris Templeman headed over the crossbar from a corner.

Fraser went close again early in the second half but the hosts would eventually make the most of one of their chances just before the hour mark. Webster did well to get away from Scott Davidson and smashed an unstoppable shot in off the post, giving Smith no chance.

The Binos began to come into the game and Steven Doris tested Jordan Millar with a low drive which the keeper did well to keep out.

However, Millar could do nothing about the visitors’ late leveller. Doris was fouled 25 yards from goal, and Beattie stepped up to fire a terrific free kick beyond the Gable Endies’ keeper and salvage what had looked like an unlikely point for the Binos.

The result means Stirling drop to seventh in League Two, one point behind Berwick Rangers, with just two games of the regular season remaining.

Annan Athletic are Albion’s next opponents when they visit Forthbank on Saturday in the Binos’ final home game of the season. Admission is £12 for adults, £8 for seniors and students, £5 for under-17s and free for under-12s.

Stirling Albion: C. Smith, McGeachie (Stevenson), Forsyth, Mazel, Davidson, McMillan (R. Smith), Johnston, Comrie (Beattie), Doris, D. Smith, Dickson.