Stirling Albion boss Darren Young teed up the role of a recent golfing night out for the team spirit on display as his side battled to a superb away point in Annan.
The visitors were under the cosh for most of the afternoon after keeper Blair Currie’s controversial 16th minute red card for handling the ball outside his area, with video evidence appearing to show the ball hitting the keeper’s face.
Playoff-chasing Annan took full advantage and seemed to be cruising to victory after two first-half goals – but the Binos proved their never say die qualities once more as they clawed their way to a draw, courtesy of two top strikes from Kieran Moore and Ross McGeachie.
Young recognised every member of his squad had to step up, but was full of praise as the Binos followed their dramatic win over Bonnyrigg with a similarly pulsating result.
The manager said: “The sending off was a turning point in the game because we were the better team up to that point and then we lose the goal, it’s just an unlucky one coming after the red card.
“We’re disappointed with the second goal defensively because it was just a simple ball over the top that we get caught under but the comeback and the togetherness at this club is unbelievable.
“We had a night out recently to Topgolf when our game was off. We trained Thursday, Saturday and headed up on the Tuesday and the camaraderie it built was brilliant.”
On his side’s battling draw, Young added: “The two strikes were just unbelievable, we stuck Kieran on because we knew what he could do and Danny had played on Tuesday as well and then the hit from Ross.
“We were joking in training when he was shooting that he needed it coming in off his left and then he goes and scores a worldie like that.
“It’s a great point to take with ten men for so long. The spirit we showed was outstanding. Every single player was defensively outstanding and then the two unbelievable strikes when we got our chances.”
It ended up being a vital result for the Binos, with leaders Dumbarton slipping up in Methil with a 2-0 defeat to East Fife – meaning the gap at the top was cut to just three points with Stirling having a game in hand.
Binos gaffer Young also lavished praise on sub keeper Mark Weir, who made an unexpected debut off the bench following the red card and made a string of fine stops to protect the point.
“Even after the two goals, we had a couple of moments and big Mark coming in for his debut was outstanding, talking and organising and coming for balls to keep the pressure off”, Young added.
“Every single player throughout the squad has played their part today and it’s just brilliant to see that.
“Some of the celebrations at the side of the park show how much the result meant to us.”
