Match Report - By Steven Mew

Despite their numerical advantage for much of the game, City had to settle for a point in the crucial clash against 9-man Stenhousemuir yesterday afternoon.

Many will view this as a missed opportunity to put clear daylight between the sides at the bottom end of the table, but in truth City didn't do near enough to win the game against the Warriors who looked far hungrier throughout.

There was just the one change to the side that lost to Stranraer last weekend with the suspended Craig Thomson making way for Kalvin Orsi who returned from injury.

It had all started so well for City who opened the scoring with the first real chance after just 8 minutes. Andy Jackson collected a throw in and his left footed strike deflected kindly into the path of KALVIN ORSI who volleyed high into the net for, remarkably, his first goal of the season.

As the half wore on the conditions deteriorated with Stenny taking advantage of having the wind at their back as they searched for an equaliser. On loan St Johnstone striker Greg Hurst had a speculative volley which flew over the bar and 8 minutes later there was a big let off for City when a wayward pass allowed McGuigan through but he screwed his effort wide.

The hosts were reduced to ten men shortly before the half hour mark when Russell Dingwall was given his marching orders for what appeared to be a stamp on City keeper Paddy O'Neil at a corner.

Despite now playing against the wind, the home side started the second half brightly with Greg Hurst's dinked effort just falling wide and the same player had a shot deflected wide two minutes later. Conner Duthie was next to threaten for the hosts when his free kick deflected kindly for O'Neil who easily gathered.

The Warriors were not to be denied as they levelled things up on 52 minutes. A cross from the right hand side went just over the head of McGuigan but fell for ALAN COOK at the back post who made no mistake, lashing the ball into the far corner.

Immediately after the goal, Barry Smith made a change with Ross Kavanagh making way for on-loan St Mirren striker Sam Jamieson who was making his debut after signing for the club last week.

Stenny continued to dominate with skipper Mark Ferry striking over the bar and a minute later the impressive Conor McBrearty struck straight at O'Neil who gathered at the second attempt.

Shortly after the hour mark Andy Jackson headed over from Paul McLean's inviting cross, however City continued to struggle to create any openings against a well organised Warriors defence.

The home side were reduced to 9 men after 71 minutes when Conner Duthie picked up a second booking for scything down Kalvin Orsi.

With a two man advantage, most would have expected City to lay siege on the Stenny goal in search of what would have been a priceless winner - but with the exception of Paul McLean's shot which was palmed away by ex-City keeper Graham Smith, this was as good as it got for City in the remaining 20 minutes or so.

In fact it was the hosts who could have easily grabbed all three points when they missed a glorious opportunity five minutes from time. Conor McBrearty collected a pass from Greg Hurst and skipped past the challenge of Robertson but O'Neil came to City's rescue with a fine save down low.

City Manager Barry Smith will be hugely frustrated that his side could not make the most of the numerical advantage in such a crucial match. Had it not been for the excellent save by O'Neil to deny McBrearty, City could have easily left Ochilview with nothing. The point, however, keeps City off the bottom of the table.

There is little time to dwell on the performance as City are back in action on Tuesday evening as we take on playoff hopefuls East Fife at Glebe Park, 7:45pm kick off.

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