Laurie Puts Binos On Right Road

Nov 4 2007 Kenny Macdonald Reports

MORTON 1

STIRLING 1

LAURIE ELLIS nodded a leveller just after the hour to salvage a vital point for 10-man Binos.

The defender met a Ross Harris corner to power a header past Morton keeper David McGurn.

Stirling had David McKenna sent off in 69 minutes and survived a late penalty award against them as Jamie Stevenson blasted over in an action-packed finish.

The Ton made a terrific start and went ahead in eight minutes with a brilliantly worked goal.

Kevin Finlayson tore down the right before pulling over a great cross for striker Iain Russell to direct a header into the top left corner from 10 yards.

Morton were looking to kill the game off early and Finlayson ended a diagonal run from the right with a rising shot from 20 yards that keeper Scott Christie saved under the bar.

The home side came close again when Peter Weatherson slid in to meet a low cross from Russell only to scoop his ten-yard effort over the top.

Stirling had a rare raid just before the half-hour and McKenna nudged the ball back for Harris who jinked inside a defender to create space for a shot that flew narrowly over.

But the Cappielow men were only denied a second goal by a fine save from Christie who leapt back to touch over Stewart Greacen's header from a Kieran McAnespie free-kick.

The Binos rallied after the interval and Nathan Taggart drilled in a first-time shot in 51 minutes that McGurn did well to smother on the line.

Albion threatened again four minutes later as Harris played in John Paul McBride but he delayed his shot 15 yards out and the chance was gone.

Moments later McBride blasted in a long range effort that McGurn saved at full stretch to his right.

But Morton were looking flat now and they were made to pay for their earlier missed chances when Ellis was left unmarked in the box to bullet home the equaliser after 61 minutes.

Stirling were reduced to 10 men eight minutes later when McKenna got his marching orders for a second bookable offence after hauling back Finlayson.

Morton passed up a great chance for a winner when Ryan Harding was hauled down for a penalty by McBride nine minutes from the end.

Stevenson had the home crowd groaning as he ballooned over.

MoM: Finlayson (Morton)