Stirling 1-1 Clyde

Mar 16 2008 Brian Welsh At Forthbank

BIG-HITTER Jorg Albertz made a fairytale return to Scottish football with a stunning free-kick then admitted he must get up to speed quickly to survive in the frantic First Division.

The former Rangers cult hero provided a Hammer blow to Stirling's survival hopes with a 35-yard rocket just before half-time.

Albertz was hooked on the hour after running out of steam and Chris Aitken levelled from the spot two minutes later.

But the basement side couldn't find a winner and stay eight points adrift of Clyde.

Albertz said: "It was so hard to come back into the game after seven months out. I didn't do much but they let me shoot.

"The game was quick and you don't get any time on the ball. It's not exactly my type of football so I'll need to adapt."

Albertz kicked the game off and it took just 80 seconds for the first cries of "shoot" to resound from the larger than normal away support but the midfielder's shot from the edge of the box was blocked.

Stirling refused to be distracted by the Hammer hype though and dominated the opening half hour. Aitken curled a 30-yard free-kick just over before ColinCramb blew a golden chance in 11 minutes. Neil McGregor's back header fell to the alert striker who rounded keeper David Hutton then fired over an open goal.

Stirling striker Jay Rodriguez produced a rare moment of brilliance when he cut in from the left but Hutton raced from his line to deflect the ball wide.

Clyde finally came into it after the half hour with Albertz's set piece headed over by Gary McSwegan before David McKay's fierce angled drive brought a superb one-handed save from Myles Hogarth.

Albertz earned a booking in 42 minutes for a trip on Nathan Taggart but two minutes later he rolled back the years with a magnificent long-range free-kick.

The German received a standing ovation as he made way for Stevie Masterton 15 minutes after the break - but the Binos were soon handed a lifeline.

Taggart's cut-back was fired goalwards by Paul Nugent only for Clyde defender Ian Campbell to dive and save with his hand on the line. Campbell was sent off before Aitken netted from the spot. Clyde almost stole it late on when Masterton's effort was brilliantly parried by Hogarth.

Then Aitken thought he'd snatched the points for Stirling only for Hutton to tip his 20-yard drive round a post.

Clyde manager John Brown hailed Albertz's instant impact and said: "I can't remember seeing as good a strike as that."

Binos assistant boss Mark McNally said: "The headlines will be all about Albertz but we're disappointed."

MoM: Aitken (Stirling)