Rovers take step closer to safety.

By Graham Barnstaple
April 21 2012

Albion Rovers draw with Arbroath this afternoon sees them move a point closer to staying in Division Two for another season.

Arbroath still had faint hopes of catching Cowdenbeath to clinch automatic promotion but it was hard to see that motivation from the Red Lichties in the first half. They did play some nice football but looked to struggle in the final third.

 

There were few chances in the first half with Gemmell heading at keeper Hill for the home side, while at the other endDorishad a shot saved by home keeper Gaston. That was as good as we got in the opening period.

 

The Rovers scored after only four minutes of the second half, a Boyle through ball sent Love clear and the winger kept his composure to slide the ball under the keeper. Minutes later Stevenson came close from long range, before the home side say a Chaplain header from a corner blocked by his colleague Gemmell on the line.

 

At this stage the only thing worth talking about with Arbroath was how Brian Kerr had managed to stay as clean as he had! But out of the blue the visitors snatched an equaliser.Dorisbroke into the box before picking out sub Sibanda to side foot home from close range.

 

Both goalkeeper’s made great saves to keep the scoreline level, Doris was denied one on one by the foot of Gaston and at the other end Hill had to save at full stretch from a Gemmell header.

 

The Rovers fans were obviously confident about where they will be playing their football next season as they chanted, “We are staying up.” This would be a great achievement for one ofScotland’s perennial strugglers.