Elgin win but miss out on play-offs
ELGIN City's play-off dreams finally fizzled out despite a 3-2 home win over East Stirling on the last day of the season.
Ross Jack's men needed to make up eight goals on fellow promotion challengers Berwick, who lost 1-0 at champions Rangers.
But the City boss admitted slack defending cost his team dear as they struggled to build up the winning margin they needed.
“There was a positive vibe all week that we could still do it, but it was not to be,” he said. “When we scored first I thought 'here we go' but we conceded two very sloppy goals quickly after taking the lead.
Jamie Duff's header on 16 minutes had City in the lead but they lost one at the other end within moments as Jamie Glasgow raced through to level.
Stuart Leslie's 18 of the season regained the lead only for a comedy of errors at the back to gift Shire's Paul Quinn a crazy equaliser on 43 minutes.
Needing seven goals in the second half to get in the play-offs, it proved too tall an order for the Black and Whites.
Some good saves by Shire keeper Craig Gordon combined with poor finishing saw time run out on Elgin's challenge.
They did managed to conjure up a last minute winner through sub Ceiran McLean's fine finish, but three points was scant consolation for the Moray men on the day.
“Promotion was not lost today. It was lost over a number of results this season,” Jack said.
“We had to go for it today but I really thought Rangers might help us as well by getting their fair share of goals.
“To be in the position we were in at the last game of the season still fighting for promotion shows we haven't been too far away.
“Our goals scored has been fantastic but the goals against needs to be tightened up.”
Elgin: Malin, Morrison (McKinnon 80), Harkins (McKinnon 80), Crighton, Duff, Cameron, Gunn, Wyness, Leslie, Nicolson, Moore. Subs: Beveridge, McMullan, Black.
Booked: Nicolson, Morrison, Harkins, McLean
Shire: Gordon, Hamilton, Maxwell, Jackson, Moffat, Hunter, Greenhill, McGregor, Quinn (Benton 81), Wright (Kelly 72), Glasgow (Anderson 87). Subs: Gillespie, Anderson, Hay.
Ref: G. Aitken
Att: 786
