East Fife 0-0 Albion Rovers

Mar 9 2008 John Hughes Reports

FRUSTRATED East Fife boss Dave Baikie called on his troops to focus on Saturday's possible league decider after edging a point nearer to the championship.

The home side dominated most of the match but failed to find the net.

Baikie said: "It was a frustrating afternoon. It was blustery and I don't know it that was an advantage or not.

"In the second half we created chances but missed them. We tried everything.

"We have it all to do on Saturday at East Stirling. There's a possibility Stranraer will falter next week and if someone told us we'd be playing for the title in March I would have taken that."

The Fifers came closest to scoring in an awful first half through Paul McManus in nine minutes but he was offside.

Then Paul Stewart's cross was deflected on to a post and Ryan Blackadder's follow-up was saved by Rovers keeper David Scott.

When news filtered through that Stranraer were losing 2-0, East Fife began playing with more urgency, realising the league title was within their grasp. Late on Blackadder rattled a free-kick off the bar before sub Craig O'Reilly set up Stewart but Michael McGowan made a terrific block to clear the danger.

And East Fife did everything but find the back of the net as they threw the kitchen sink at Rovers but had to settle for a point.

Albion manager John McCormack said: "I'm pleased with the effort we put in.

"East Fife were going for the title and were really up for it.

"We have a horrendous injury list but showed we can give anyone a game."