East Stirling 3-1 Montrose

Apr 27 2008 Kristian Trueslen At Firs Park

JUBILANT East Stirling said farewell to Firs Park in style - by avoiding bottom slot in the Third Division for the first time in six years. Goals from Andy Rodgers, Michael Bolocheweckyj and Joe Savage secured the win that sends Forfar, who drew at Dumbarton, to the lowest spot in the Scottish leagues.

It was a fitting footnote in the history of Firs Park which is set to be swept away for a housing estate.

Boss Jim McInally praised his players, saying: "They didn't deserve to be bottom of the table. They fought hard over the last six weeks and have been brilliant.

"We finished ninth and it is not something I'll be celebrating but it's great to see so many people happy. Our target next season is to make sure we don't end up in this position again."

Gary Wood had the first two chances for Montrose.

First he was sent clean through after a well-worked move but Shire keeper Gary O'Connor stopped his shot with a low save.

In the eighth minute Wood thought he had netted the opener, stabbing home Craig Forsythe's cross from close range, but the goal was chopped off for offside.

Steven Black was next to threaten for the dominant Gable Endies - but his dipping volley sailed inches over.

Montrose's pressure paid off with the first in 27 minutes.

Jay Stein's wicked cross panicked Shire defender David King and his attempted clearance hit the bar then flew into his own net.

But the goal didn't knock the stuffing out of battling East Stirling who equalised shortly before the interval.

Scott Gibb launched a long throw into the penalty area for Rodgers to flick a header over Stewart McKenzie and into the net.

Roddy Hunter forced a great fingertip save from O'Connor at the start of the second half. But Shire grabbed the lead when super-sub Savage darted past the Montrose defence before firing beyond McKenzie in the 65th minute.

Shire piled on the pressure after that and looked likely to add more to their tally.

Andrew Brand's looping header was parried away by McKenzie in 76 minutes.

But Shire added goal No.3 four minutes later.

David Nicolls' pinpoint freekick was majestically headed home by Bolocheweckyj to put East Stirling out of sight.

Savage nearly scored his second but his low drive was saved by McKenzie moments before the end.

Savage said Shire didn't deserve to finish bottom and was delighted to score.

He beamed: "It was a major relief to finish ninth but there's no way we are the worst team in the division.

"It's justice we didn't finish bottom. We hope this is a stepping stone for greater things."

Montrose gaffer Jim Weir groaned: "Defensively we were poor.We didn't deal with East Stirling's threat and our defending was suicidal."

HERO

JOE SAVAGE was only on for half an hour but made a massive impact. The super sub's brilliant solo goal turned the match for Shire and ensured they avoided the wooden spoon.

VILLAIN

ROSS GARDINER was arguably the worst culprit in Montrose's slack defence. He was posted missing as Savage raced away from his marker to score Shire's all important second goal.