League Two: Peterhead end East Stirlingshire run

The ’Shire started the season with wins over Queen’s Park, Elgin City and Stirling Albion, and a fourth win looked on the cards when they led after five minutes against the Blue Toon. On-loan Falkirk defender Ryan McGeever was judged to have pushed Kevin Turner, and Paul Quinn did his usual immaculate job from the penalty spot.

Balmoor manager Jim McInally sent on former ’Shire player Andy Rodgers 12 minutes after the break and his introduction turned things around instantly. Rodgers’ effort was blocked and Jordan Brown forced the ball home to tie the scores. Jamie Redman converted a Stephen Noble cross to make it 2-1 midway through the half, and then on-loan Aberdeen youngster Stephen O’Neill scored his first senior goal as Peterhead took charge. McGeever atoned for his penalty error by firing home the fourth in the midst of a goalmouth scramble.

McInally admitted he had to stop his team feeling sorry for themselves at half-time. “The penalty decision was of the soft kind and as well as going a goal down, our players went into their shell,” he said. “I had to point out that we had a game to win and despite missing a few players, we had the players that could win it. They went out and did that, so hopefully this game will be the start of a good run for us.”

’Shire head coach John Coughlin said: “Peterhead wanted to win the game more than us in the second half and that is disappointing. For a team that had won three games in a row we were a bit flat and this is perhaps a reality check for everyone.”

Stirling Albion sit joint top after a 2-0 win at Hampden against a Queen’s Park side languishing bottom of the table with no points. The Forthbank men left it late before substitute Sandy Cunningham tapped home and fellow replacement Mark Ferry netted at the second attempt to seal the win.

Albion Rovers lost their unbeaten record as they were beaten 2-0 by  Montrose at Cliftonhill, with Lloyd Young scoring before the break and new loan signing Bryan Deasley netting after it. Berwick defeated Annan 4-2 at Shielfield with Scott Dalziel’s double as well as goals from Kenny O’Brien and Darren Lavery enough to see off a Galabank side who always trailed despite David Hopkirk’s goal and Ally Love’s penalty. Elgin claimed their first win of the season with a 1-0 home success over Clyde. Dennis Wyness scored the only goal just after the hour mark.