Injury-hit Stenhousemuir forced to settle for a point as champions make it six draws on the spin

Stenhousemuir manager Gary Naysmith says he is hopeful of having “a few” players back from injury this week after being forced to name only four substitutes – including 49-year-old goalkeeping coach Myles Hogarth – on the bench for last Saturday’s 1-1 stalemate with Elgin City.
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That result at Ochilview marked a sixth draw in a row for the Warriors, but they have of course already wrapped up the League Two title in style, having surged to a first ever club title at the start of the month.

And despite losing a late leveller to Allan Hale’s side, former Scotland full-back Naysmith was content with the overall performance from his champions.

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"You could worry after winning the league about how the players would react but I though the attitude on Saturday was different class,” the boss said. “We took the game to Elgin and we should have a couple of goals up early on.

Stenhousemuir’s players watch on as Robert Jones’ late equaliser for Elgin City flies into the back of the net (Photo: Alan Murray)Stenhousemuir’s players watch on as Robert Jones’ late equaliser for Elgin City flies into the back of the net (Photo: Alan Murray)
Stenhousemuir’s players watch on as Robert Jones’ late equaliser for Elgin City flies into the back of the net (Photo: Alan Murray)

“We managed to get our goal through James Berry and we were well worthy. In the second half, we maybe didn’t quite play as well but we didn’t play badly. We had a couple of big chances again. “The one frustration was that having missed those chances, you know that the other team is still in the game. And that proved to be the case. Elgin hung in their and with 20-odd minutes to go they opened up a little.

"They put on extra forward players and they managed to get a goal late on, it is just one of those things. We’ve drawn again but the performance overall was pleasing.

"What we do know is that once again we have coverted enough chances, we created more than one goal’s worth, that’s for sure.”

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Injury-hit Stenny were without Nicky Jamieson, Nat Wedderburn, Michael Anderson, Bradley Rodden and back-up goalkeeper Curtis Lyle last Saturday – with that seeing the Warriors down to the bare bones.

Matty Yates makes his move on the ball for Stenhousemuir against Elgin City (Photo: Alan Murray)Matty Yates makes his move on the ball for Stenhousemuir against Elgin City (Photo: Alan Murray)
Matty Yates makes his move on the ball for Stenhousemuir against Elgin City (Photo: Alan Murray)

And Naysmith revealed to the Falkirk Herald that he is hopeful of having some faces back for this Saturday’s trip to bottom club Clyde.

He added: “We had five players out for legitimate reasons, including Curtis (Lyle) who got injured in work so that left us a goalkeeper short. But Myles has trained all season long and he is technically our number three.

"We will hopefully have a few of those guys back and we’ll make a few changes.”