Albion Rovers 2-0 Elgin City (agg. 2-1): Elgin devastated by late Albion winner

A LAST-minute deflected winner saw Albion Rovers keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Second Division, while simultaneously dashing Elgin’s dream of a first-ever promotion in the cruellest manner.

Scott Chaplain’s acrobatic overhead kick may or may not have been heading for the net but, after taking a deflection off Mark Nicholson, it had only one destination. It meant joy for Rovers, who march on to the final with Stranraer, and despair for City. The latter emotion was felt most acutely by Zander Clark, the young Elgin goalkeeper who was powerless to keep out Chaplain’s somewhat freakish winner after a close-range strike from John Gemmell had levelled the tie just after the hour mark. Clark, on loan from St Johnstone, had hoped to end his time at Borough Briggs on a high, but it was not to be.

The 19-year-old said: “It’s very hard to take. We’ve come so far, and this is what we’ve worked for all season, only for it to be taken away from us in very cruel circumstances. We’ve had chances but we’ve not taken them. Big credit must go to Albion Rovers as they’ve defended very well and managed to keep the scoreline down over both legs.”

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Rovers manager Paul Martin admitted both his side’s goals had a tinge of good fortune, but said: “The manner of our goals was maybe harsh on Elgin but that’s football. We’re through to the play-off final and for us it’s all about survival.”

City counterpart Ross Jack said: “The way in which we went out was soul-destroying but the players should be proud of their efforts.”

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