East Stirlingshire 0 - 0 Albion Rovers: Love suffers nightmare on return to Ochilview

Published on Wednesday 2 March 2011 16:14

ALBION Rovers' striker Robert Love endured a disappointing return to his former club Stenhousemuir's Ochilview ground as he missed a series of chances in the promotion-chasing Coatbridge side's goalless draw with East Stirling.

The result ends a run of six defeats in a row for the Shire and it could have been even better for Jim McInally's men if one of their own players not denied Stephen Maguire a goal.

Love fired into the side- netting after 11 minutes and 14 minutes later an Alan Reid cross was begging to be put in, but Love failed to get enough power into his diving header.

Love found the side netting again 10 minutes from half-time after beating home goalkeeper Michael Andrews in a race to reach a huge clearance from Michael Flynn.

The striker tapped the ball past Andrews on the right-hand side of the box, but he was off target once more. Love fared no better eight minutes into the second period when Andrews used his legs to block a drive.

The Shire's season-long profligacy in front of goal was evident again just after the hour mark when Scott Johnston skipped to the touchline and cut the ball back to Maguire. His shot looked goalbound until team-mate Kevin Cawley got in the way of the ball.

Love then missed once more after he reached an Ian Smith knockdown and lofted the ball over Andrews only to see the ball clear the far post.

East Stirlingshire: Andrews, Donaldson, Ure, Hay, Walker (Team 71), Neill Cawley, Weaver, Maguire (Wilkie 81), Grant, Johnston (Dunn 85). Unused subs: Beveridge, Sorley.

Albion Rovers: Flynn, Reid, McGowan, Stevenson, Donnelly, Benton, Love, Canning, Smith, Lawless, Hamilton (Smith 78). Unused subs: Ferry, Gilmartin, McCluskey, Gaston.