Elgin City join East Fife at top of William Hill League 2 after battling win over Stranraer at Borough Briggs despite Russell Dingwall red card
Elgin City moved joint top of League 2 after a defiant, ten-man display to beat Stranraer.
Jack Murray’s second minute goal proved to be the only one of the contest, while Elgin had to play the final half hour a man short following Russell Dingwall’s red card.
Injury-hit City had seven players missing for the match.
The Black and Whites made a dream start, scoring with their first attack.
On-loan Kilmarnock winger Kian Leslie crossed from the right and centre back Murray rose to nod inside the right hand post for hs sixth goal of the season
City players were in the wars, with Lyall Booth treated for a nose bleed while Dingwall sustained a head cut after an aerial challenge for which he was booked for after several minutes of treatment.
Referee Stewart Luke was brandishing his yellow card frequently with five names taken in the first half.
Chances were limited, with Leslie testing keeper Robbie Mutch in first half stoppage time.
Murray headed just wide from a Mark Gallagher free kick early in the second half.
Dingwall was shown a second yellow card for what the referee judged to be a dive in the centre of the pitch.
Stranraer pressed for an equaliser with Grant Gallagher’s deflected shot going close and a Mark Russell corner rebounding off the near post.
City looked dangerous on the break and a fine run by defender Owen Cairns released Dylan Gavin and his shot was top corner bound until Mutch palmed it to safety.
Home keeper Aidan Glavin pulled off two fine saves in quick succession, the first one a particularly good stop from Matty Grant’s free kick which was heading for the top corner.
Another breakaway by Elgin saw sub Dajon Golding lead a three-against-one attack but the strike gave away possession at the vital moment and the chance was gone.
Superb defending by City saw the remaining minutes out and with East Fife drawing at Stirling, the Borough Briggs men joined the leaders on 23 points after 11 outings.
Elgin: Glavin, Cairns, Girvan, Murray, Booth, Gallagher, Cameron, Leslie (Sargent 67), Dingwall, McDonald, Gavin (Golding 67).
Subs: Golding, Sargent, Fraser, MacDonald, Taylor.
Stranraer: Mutch, Ross, Cummins, Reid, Ecrepont, McIntosh (Guthrie 57), Gallagher (Robertson 84), Hawkshaw (Dunlop 77), Edgar (Grant 57), Russell, Lang (Adam 84).
Subs: Brindley, McQueen, McKnight, Pazikas.
Ref: Stewart Luke
Att: 757
