Elgin see off Stirling to return to play-offs spot
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A FLYING start helped Elgin City fire their way back into the play-off places with a 3-0 win over Stirling Albion on Saturday.
Nathan Flanagan's strike just seven minutes into his debut on loan from St Mirren got the Black and Whites into gear.
Brian Cameron added a second and Shane Sutherland continued his comeback from inury, capping a fine display with the third and final goal just 24 minutes in.
Manager Gavin Price was pleased to see his team leap back above Clyde, who lost at Peterhead, and Stenhousemuir who drew with Cowdenbeath, into fourth spot.
“It reminded me of some of our performances from last season when Shane was in the side and the link-up play between him and Brian (Cameron) and Chris McLeish was good to see,” he said.
“Let's not jump the gun, but hopefully we have hit form at the right time.
“We are now in the position to go and challenge for this fourth place. We are in a better position than we were at three o'clock and I'm pleased with the way the players approached the game today.”
Flanagan's lofted finish from a Sutherland pass got the ball rolling and Cameron forced in a second after McLeish had been denied at point blank range.
A stunning Elgin move was finished off by Sutherland for the second goal of his comeback from a criciate ligament injury.
Jon-Paul McGovern was denied a fourth bu a good save, although Elgin keeper Brett Long had to make fine stops from Sean Dickson, Neil McLaughlin and Peter MacDonald to maintain the scoring gap between the teams.
Darryl McHardy was denied by the crossbar late on for City, who were rewarded for their sparkling first half display with a vital three points.
Fifth placed Stenhousemuir have two games in hand to overhaul Elgin but it will be survival of the strongest in a three-team chase for the last play-off position in April.
City's next game is away to Annan next Saturday.
Elgin: Long, Eadie (Smith 79), Allan, McHardy, Bronsky, McCovern, Reilly, Cameron, McLeish (McDonald 59), Sutherland, Flanagan (Byrne 86).
Subs: Ferguson, Scott, McDade, Ross.
Stirling: Wight, McGeachie, Hamilton, McNeil, R.Smith (Noble 38), McLaughlin, Jardine, MacDonald, D.Smith, Robertson, Dickson (Kavanagh 38).
Subs: Banner, McDonald, Vezza, Binnie.
Ref: Colin Stevenson
Att: 676
