Stranraer boss Stephen Aitken is delighted to be taking his League 1 leaders to Peterhead tomorrow, hot on the heels of Willie Gibson’s wonder strike.
The Stair Park side were struggling to break down a resolute Airdrie defence last weekend until Gibson took charge with less than 10 minutes left. The winger cut in from the left and skipped past two defenders before cracking home a right-foot shot from 30 yards.
Aitken said: “It was a top-notch strike and up there with the best I have ever seen. We were going forward really strongly but with eight minutes to go you are never sure what will happen. However, it was a goal well worth waiting for.
“We had been pushing for a winner and overall I felt that we deserved it. Willie said afterwards that it was the best goal of his career.”
The Blues, who have a one point advantage over Morton and Forfar, head from the south-west of the country to the north-east, with Aitken adding: “We are going up to Peterhead on a high as a result of beating Airdrie as they had been on a decent unbeaten run.
“It was great to build on our midweek win over Stirling Albion that came after defeats against Morton and Forfar.
“To be honest, I felt for the players as they did not deserve to come away with nothing from those two games. Our wins have put our noses in front at the top of the league and that is a good place to be.
“Balmoor is a tough venue and Jim McInally has done a great job there when you consider that they were only promoted at the end of last season. Stirling, who came up as well, have struggled to get wins and move away from the foot of the table but Peterhead are pushing for promotion.
“We have a bit of confidence about us but we are wary of facing a Peterhead side with a point to prove. We had someone watching their game on Tuesday night at Brechin and they told us how unlucky Peterhead were to lose a penalty and draw 2-2 in the final minute.
“If they had won that game they were right back into things however they may now see this game as a must-win as a result.”
Despite leading as the home straight comes into sight, there will be no moving away from the model that Stranraer have adopted all season, with Aitken saying: “We will look to keep doing what we have been doing and taking games one at a time. That has been our approach all season.
“Win this one and it takes us another week closer to an interesting finish to the league.”
Craig Stewart
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