New signing for Elgin City and manager Barry Smith praises team performance in Borough Briggs draw with Stenhousemuir
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In their first match in 24 days since the 6-0 thumping at Peterhead, Elgin City made defensive and attacking improvements in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Stenhousemuir.
That's the view of City manager Barry Smith, who felt his team was a shade unlucky not to take full points from their League 2 match.
Rory MacEwan's 86th minute strike rescued a draw for the Black and Whites, who remain bottom of the league on goal difference behind Clyde.
With Stenny leading 1-0 but reduced to ten men before half time, the home side pressed hard for an equaliser and had to wait a long time for their breakthrough.
Match report: Elgin City 1 Stenhousemuir 1.
Smith unvealed his second signing since taking over from Ross Draper in September, powerful striker Robert Jones who came on as a late substitute.
The manager said he has been working on his team's shape in the training ground in an effort to eradicate the weaknesses exposed by Peterhead in their last match.
"We changed shape a wee bit and we looked more solid but we also looked a threat going forward," he said.
"We were pleased with the fact that the boys listened to the shape work that we have done. On another day you come away with the three points.
"We did have chances to win the game so it’s frustrating that we’ve only come away with a point."
New boy Jones (28) has played for the likes East Fife, Albion Rovers, Stranraer, Dumbarton and Clyde, and has penned a short-term deal until January.
"We are quite young up top with Ben (Barron), Liam (Harvey) and Matty (Wright) all being in their teens or early 20s so we thought we needed a wee bit of experience.
"Robert was playing at Finn Harps last year and he’s played for a few clubs in League 1 and 2 so he’s got that bit more experience and brings a different aspect to our team, so hopefully he will be a good signing for us.
"He is just coming back from a slight injury and wasn’t signed for anyone. I have worked with him before and I know what he brings to the table. He will be good for the way that we want to play."
Smith also reverted player coach Draper to his former position of centre midfield against Stenhousemuir - the former Caley Thistle player had been playing mainly in central defence for the past year.
"We just felt that set up was the right way to go tonight. Ross is an experienced player to play in the middle of the park and that was valuable tonight."
On skipper Matthew Cooper's return to the starting line-up, Smith added: "It was hard on Nathan Cooney being left out but Coops is the captain and you want your leaders on the pitch and he is one of them."
Elgin's return to league action is a brief one as they switch their attention to the Scottish Cup on Saturday and an away tie at Jeanfield Swifts, one managed by ex-City boss Gavin Price with a number of former Elgin players in their ranks.
Smith watched the Perth side in action against Hill of Beith Hawthorn and has compiled a report on his opponents to prepare his own team for the match.
