Blues Sink Deeper: Berwick 4 Stranraer 1

Stranraer fielded a relatively full-strength team for the match, but were outplayed a Berwick team which finally pulls clear of the scramble at the bottom of the table. The loss to the Blues now means relegation could be a real possibility.

Surprisingly, Stranraer were the stronger of the two teams in the early stages of the match. Martin Glancy had the best chance for the Blues early on when he hit the post from the edge of the box.

Good play in First-half
Martin Glancy - hit post.	Ian Harty - unable to break deadlock.

Ian Harty was causing lots of problems for the home side, but he was unable to break through for a clean chance at the Berwick goal.

Not all the play was Stranraer's. Gary Wood had a great chance to give Berwick the lead, but his powerful shot was tipped over the bar by an alert Mark McGeown. This was the Borderer's only real chance in the first half.

The second half proved to be more exciting than the first, but only if you were a Berwick fan. Stranraer conceded more goals in 22 minutes than they normally would have conceded in two to three matches at the start of the season.

The key to Berwick's victory was the introduction of former Partick Thistle player Murray McDowell for ex-Doonhamer (and Stranraer player) Craig Feroz. This substitution opened the door or the goal-fest which was about to follow.

In the 68th minute David Murie set up Gary Wood, who made no mistake from inside the penalty box to give Berwick the lead. Only two minutes later Mark McGeown was picking the ball out of the net again after Murray McDowell had set up Wood for his second.

The third goal was only three minutes away. David Murray and Darren Smith broke through the midfield and raced towards the Stranraer goal. A perfect pass by Smith found McDowell at the back post and the forward scored easily.

Stranraer pulled one back in the 74th minute when Jered Stirling stepped up to take a free-kick 25-yards out. His powerful kick struck Berwick's new signing Anton Smith (from Glasgow Rangers) and was turned in past Willie McCulloch.

Any hope for a dramatic comeback was dispelled in the 81st minute when McDowell fired a spectacular 30-yards shot pass McGeown. This goal was McDowell's third since joining the team in late January.

McGeown came to Stranraer's rescue in the final minute to keep the score down when he pulled of a fine save from Darren Smith.

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In summary, a game where Stranraer should have added a couple in the first half ended up an embarrasing defeat. Cleary drastic action must be taken to avoid the drop, but what?

Stranraer MOM: Martin Glancy - was always a threat in the match and put in some good attacking runs.