Relieved Stirling Albion boss Darren Young admitted he didn’t see Blair Currie save the decisive penalty which sent his side through to the third round of the Scottish Cup – but praised his side’s battling qualities.
The Binos were given an almighty test by the Highland League leaders, having to come from behind twice before snatching a mammoth penalty shootout on the 15th spot-kick.
It preserves Albion’s unbeaten run and enacted some revenge for the Glebe Park side inflicting a penalty shootout victory of their own on Stirling earlier this season in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
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Young paid tribute to keeper Currie for standing strong in the shootout and for his side in grinding out another big result.
The manager said: “All credit to Blair, I actually looked away because I had looked at every penalty and thought I’d try something different so I never saw the save, but delighted for him and for the boys to be in the next round.
“The boys’ character was there in abundance, we had to come back twice and it was great to see that. We know we didn’t play as well as we can and from our point of view, they’ve had a few chances and we’ve had a few chances, but the main thing is to be in the draw.
“We’ve had to go to penalties and we lost here on penalties earlier on in the season, so it’s good to see some boys get some good game time, a bit disappointed with the performance but that’s credit to the opposition who had the team set up really well.
“The boys who hit penalties are the ones who volunteer themselves and have been there and done it so it’s just up to them individually. For me, just go up, don’t change your mind, hit the target and make the keeper make a save and we spoke about that.
“It’s a mentality thing from that side of things and we’ve done well to get through.”
Albion’s two first-half goals both came as a result of excellent set piece deliveries from impressing on-loan Dundee United winger Kai Fotheringham, who enjoyed some special attention from the Brechin backline.
Young added: “We’re a bit disappointed with the manner of losing the goals, but a couple of goals from set-pieces and a couple of great deliveries from Kai.
“Kai – and Dale [Carrick] as well – were getting battered from pillar to post which is fair enough and actually it was probably one of Kai’s quieter games but at the same time, he goes and produces two assists so that shows the quality of the player.”
