Stranraer 3-1 Stenhousemuir

Apr 6 2008 Chris Sanderson At Stair Park

UNLIKELY hero James McKinstry admits his first goal in more than THREE years was well worth the wait as he helped Stranraer book a play-off spot.

The sluggish Blues had no answer to Patrick Mailey's first-half opener until ref Alan Muir gifted them a controversial lifeline in 73 minutes.

Stenny's Gary Thom was sent packing for an innocuous challenge on Gregory Tade and Andy Gibson tucked away the penalty to spark Stranraer into life. Full-back McKinstry chipped in with his collector's item strike just two minutes later before Tade sealed the points at the death.

McKinstry - whose last goal was for Dumbarton in February 2005 - said: "I couldn't have asked for a better time to score, just after we'd equalised, and it must have been a real sickener for Stenny.

"I don't net many but it was more important we got the points to cement our play-off spot."

The home side almost made the breakthrough after only six minutes when Michael Mullen flashed a close-range header wide from Tade's cutback.

But Stenny gradually began to take control and it was no surprise they drew first blood in 28 minutes.

Stranraer defender Ian Dobbins conceded a corner under pressure from Ian Harty and Mailey was given time and space to head Stevie Ferguson's flag kick past helpless Scott Black.

It could have been worse for the Blues eight minutes before the break. Dobbins stumbled as he received a wayward pass from McKinstry and only a brave save from Black denied Harty as he homed in on goal.

The frustrated home side seemed bereft of ideas until Muir's disputed decision turned the game on its head in 73 minutes.

There appeared little danger when Mullen lofted over a cross to Tade who jostled with Thom in the box.

The ball appeared to be rolling wide but the ref pointed to the spot and sent off Thom for a dubious last-man foul. After the visitors' furious protests died down Gibson held his nerve to send Ally Brown the wrong way for the equaliser.

And Stranraer made their man advantage count two minutes later as McKinstry bagged No.2.

Mullen teed up the defender in space and his effort squeezed just under Brown's reach into the bottom corner of the net.

Then in stoppage time Tade wrapped up the points. Sub Ian Cashmore's cross was perfect for the Frenchman to finish with a diving header.

Blues coach Colin Lyndsay added: "We got a break with the penalty but from then on there was only going to be one winner."

Raging Stenny boss John Coughlin growled: "It wasn't a penalty and has perhaps cost us a play-off place. But we missed a great chance to kill the game just before the interval."

HERO

DEADLY James McKinstry's key strike fired Stranraer in front and even the booking copped for an over-zealous celebration couldn't dampen his joy.

VILLAIN

ROPEY ref Alan Muir incensed Stenny by awarding a controversial penalty then red carding Gary Thom in a flashpoint that changed the game.