Millar strike gives Elgin play-off advantage
PAUL Millar's second half strike has given Elgin City a crucial lead at the halfway stage of their Division 2 play-off semi against Albion Rovers.
But City manager Ross Jack believes his team's 1-0 victory at Borough Briggs on Wednesday night should have been more convincing to reflect their superiority on the night.
Millar struck the winner on 53 minutes after Albion – who finished second bottom of Division 2 – had centre back Michael O'Byrne sent off before the half hour mark.
Jack admitted: “We're pleased we've won, and a win's a win at any standard so we'll take it.
“But it was extremely frustrating. I felt that too many chances went a-begging in the first half.
“We should maybe have finished the tie tonight but its still in the balance.”
Elgin impressed a crowd of 1248 with their attacking play in the first half, and could have gone in front as early as the seventh minute when Brian cameron broke into the box but was denied by keeper Derek Gaston saving with his legs.
Craig Gunn then fired a good chance wide while both David Niven and Millar missed headed opportunities.
City were given a boost when O'Byrne had a tug at Millar's shirt as he tried to run clear on goal, and referee Frank McDermot showed a straight red card to the Rovers defender.
Daniel Moore, back after a four-match injury lay-off, curled the free kick just over, and Niven was denied by a goal-line clearance just before the break.
But the Moray men got the goal they needed eight minutes after the interval when an Alex Moore shot spun into Millar's path and from ten yards out he lashed the ball home.
Solid defensive work by Albion denied City any further goals, and manager Jack admitted the visitors' negative and physical tactics came as no surprise to him.
“That's exactly what we expected from them. They just came in and parked the bus.
“They were out to stop Daniel Moore as often as they could, and some of the tackles early on were borderline.”
Now City travel to Coatbridge on Saturday with a precious lead to defend, but Jack insists they will go for victory.
“We've got a mammoth task. Albion are still favourites.
“We know if we keep a clean sheet then we've won, but we'll go there looking to beat them.”
Elgin: Clark, Durnan, Cooper, Niven, Duff, Cameron, Gunn, Leslie (O'Donoghue 80), Millar (Crooks 72), Nicolson, Moore (MacPhee 80). Subs: Beveridge, Calder.
See Friday's Northern Scot for more from Ross Jack, plus the thoughts of Elgin goal hero Paul Millar and team-mate Daniel Moore.
