Ability to ‘dig out’ results part of Stenhousemuir’s success so far this season, says boss after late 1-0 win.

Gary Naysmith reckons Stenhousemuir’s ability to “dig out” a positive result is one of the key reason’s why the Warriors have enjoyed such a successful season so far.

The Ochilview Park side moved level on points with Scottish League One leaders Inverness Caley Thistle last Saturday after edging out a 1-0 victory away to Peterhead. And despite conceding that a draw would have been a fair result - the former Scotland full-back highlighted his players’ never-say-die attitude.

The visitors secured the three points thanks to two moments of real quality at both ends of the pitch in what was a poor game overall. Ross Taylor found the back of the net from a free-kick after 89 minutes, with goalkeeper Darren Jamieson then making a superb save in injury-time to secure the three points.

Gary Naysmith hails Stenhousemuir after latest win

Speaking to the Falkirk Herald, manager Naysmith hailed his side’s impressive 12-match unbeaten league run that has allowed them to keep on toes on full-time Caley Thistle.

“We're always in games, and even when we don't play well, we still have an ability to pick points up,” he explained. “You can't be a successful team only picking up points when you play well. I think that's something that's a strength of the team. We have shown time and time again now that we've still been able to dig out either a win or a draw. And that's something that we're going to need for the remaining seven games of the season. We’re in a good place just now. What's maybe went a little bit unnoticed is that we have hit 12 league games in a row undefeated. Because there was a couple of cup defeats in between it has been lost a little. We've won seven and drew five in our last 12 league games. That’s impressive.”

Assessing the late win at Balmoor over the weekend, Naysmith added: The game had a lot of endeavour, but no real quality play in the game for either team. Being honest, a draw would have been the fair result. But we defended well when we had to defend. We limited them to very few chances, as they did to us. We had two bits of quality at the end. One from Ross (Taylor) to score the free kick and one from Darren (Jamieson) to make a brilliant save. He didn’t just deny the effort but pushed it well wide too. It was the defining moment of the game. Two moments of magic both went in our favour.”

‘Kelty Hearts won’t be an easy game’

Stenhousemuir now host bottom club Kelty Hearts this Saturday at home but Naysmith is expecting a tough test against the Fife outfit. The Maroon Machine are cut adrift at the bottom but have only lost once in their previous seven league outings. Draws have been the big issue for Tam O’Ware’s team.

“A team fighting for their lives at the bottom of the league is just as tough as a team fighting to get promoted,” Naysmith said. “They can actually be a harder opponent because they know that they've got to start getting wins. And that makes them a very dangerous and difficult opponent. They try to play. And they are good at it. They’ve had tight matches against us this season.”

Naysmith also confirmed that for the first time this season he is hopeful that he will have enough players available to name a full matchday squad with one or two players having to actually sit in the stands.