Belief that things would turn around never left the Stranraer squad, according to Corey O’Donnell.
The Blues only picked up five points in the first quarter of the league season but they have more than doubled that tally in the early stages of quarter two.
That has included victories over Edinburgh City and Forfar Athletic in recent weeks as Chris Aitken’s team has clawed its way back into a congested mid-table in League Two.
O’Donnell said: “We always knew it was going to come.
“We just had to stick together and then the results would come.
“The performances were good but we just were not getting the results and now we have finally got a win.”
Saturday’s home contest with East Kilbride is the middle of three tough fixtures for Stranraer.
Last weekend brought a point at third placed Clyde while this weekend’s opponents sit in second spot.
Next weekend, a trip to the capital means a contest with the table-topping Spartans.
O’Donnell, who joined the Blues earlier this campaign, felt there were reasons to be optimistic.
He said: “It is a tough run of fixtures but nothing to be worried about.
“We are going into Saturday and we are very ambitious to win.
“We truly believe we can and I am sure it will be a good game.”
The frontman has not featured for Stranraer since defeat to Annan Athletic last month.
An injury sustained in training has kept him on the sidelines.
Positively, he was back going through his paces on Tuesday night before the contest with St Mirren B.
He said: “It was a few weeks ago now but I was just in training on a Thursday night.
“Just, unfortunately, I got a wee strain on my left thigh.
“I have been working through that just now.
“Obviously, it is not ideal but I am getting there, slowly but getting there.
“I knew it was something not serious but just a strain and, hopefully, I will be back soon.
“I was not doing the warm up on Tuesday but doing a couple of wee runs.
“I’m not quite at the warm up but hopefully I will get there soon.”
Last meeting
East Kilbride enjoyed a first-ever win over Stranraer when the sides met earlier this season.
Lewis Dobbie had already had a goal ruled out before the home side made the breakthrough. Sean Fagan went down under a challenge in the box and John Robertson scored the penalty.
That was how the score remained until early in the second half when Sallu Turay levelled. The striker picked up the ball in his own half and ran through before firing home.
There would be two more goals and they would both come in the final 10 minutes. David Ferguson smashed home from close range from a corner and Joao Balde’s impressive effort sealed the win late on.
East Kilbride: Owens, Ferguson, MacKenzie, Fagan, Breen, Leitch, Balde, Robertson, Foster (Flanagan 60), Dobbie (Elliott 60), Spence.
Not used: Hamilton, Sula, Healy, Mimnaugh, Lyon and Morrison.
Stranraer: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, Dunne, Quigg (Edgar 84), Russell, McManus (Hunter 39), O’Donnell, Dolan, Turay (Stuart 71).
Not used: Docherty, McKnight, Coll, Sharp and Henderson.
Last five meetings
- East Kilbride 3 Stranraer 1 (Robertson (Pen), Ferguson and Balde; Turay) at K-Park Stadium on August 16, 2025
- Stranraer 3 East Kilbride 1 (Gallagher, Ross and Gilmartin; Samson) at Stair Park on May 18, 2024
- East Kilbride 2 Stranraer 2 (Stirling and Robertson; McIntosh and Ross) at K-Park Stadium on May 11, 2024
- Stranraer 1 East Kilbride 0 (Yates) at Stair Park on July 17, 2021
- Stranraer 2 East Kilbride 1 (Gibson (Pen) and Own goal; Winter) at Stair Park on December 3, 2016
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v St Mirren B (H): 2-0 (Lang x2)
- DRAW v Clyde (A): 0-0
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (H): 3-1 (Dolan (Pen), Edgar and Lang)
- WIN v Glenafton Athletic (H): 4-0 (Dolan, Own goal, Hunter and Edgar)
- WIN v Edinburgh City (A): 1-3 (Ecrepont x2 and McManus)
East Kilbride
- WIN v Celtic B (H): 2-0 (Robertson and See)
- WIN v Stirling Albion (H): 2-0 (Robertson and Young)
- LOSS v The Spartans (A): 2-1 (Foster)
- LOSS v The Spartans (A): 2-1 (Robertson (Pen))
- WIN v Elgin City (H): 3-0 (Young x2 and Flanagan)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v St Mirren B: Henderson, Rough, McKnight, Dunne (Ecrepont 58), Coll, Russell (Quigg 72), Hughes (Reid 58), Sharp, Hunter, Edgar, Lang (Dolan 67).
Not used: Lane.
East Kilbride
Lineup v Celtic B: Owens, MacKenzie, Fagan (Ferguson 69), Breen, MacGregor, Balde, Robertson, Foster (See 64), Young, Mimnaugh, Elliott (Flanagan 76).
Not used: Sula, Healy, Dobbie, Lyon and Morrison.
Five facts
1. Deryn Lang’s goal in the 12th minute on Tuesday was the first time in more than three years that Stranraer had scored in that minute. Craig Ross was the last man to do it when he found the net against Edinburgh City.
2. Lang’s double put him close to becoming the first Stranraer player to score a hat-trick at Stair Park in more than 12 years. That honour still belongs to Craig Malcolm, who scored a treble against Albion Rovers in March 2013. The Blues had trailed 2-0 before coming back to seal the win. The home side that day was: Mitchell, Kinnaird, Staunton, McKeown, Dunlop, Aitken (Campbell 89), Gallagher, Winter, Gribben (Moore 88), Malcolm, Love (Borris 76). Not used: One and Cadwell.
3. Former Stranraer striker Danny Diver celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday. The frontman, who played for a number of Scottish clubs, as well as having spells in Denmark and Belgium, scored more than a dozen goals for the Blues in the early 1990s. His son, Ciaran, also had a spell at Stair Park, joining on loan in 2018 and making 10 appearances.
4. Stranraer’s goalkeepers – Josh Lane and Ewan Henderson – are the only members of the squad who have started a game this season but who have not also appeared as a substitute.
5. On every occasion Stranraer and East Kilbride have played each other, there has been a player in the East Kilbride line-up who has played for Stranraer previously.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are valid for Saturday’s game.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Merchandise
Stranraer FC merchandise is available from the hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand for all your Christmas shopping.
We’re stocked with pin badges and key rings, all three of this season’s new Adidas kits, hats, scarves, new leisurewear, and some great bargains on last season’s items.
Cash and card payments are accepted and we open from 1.30pm.
You can also purchase a range of merchandise online.
Pavilion Bar
Pop into our popular Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile from 1pm for a pre-match refreshment with fellow fans.
Home, away and neutral supporters are warmly welcomed, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop off at the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Podcast
Check out this week’s episode of club podcast Look Blues Talking for an in-depth preview of this weekend’s game, along with all the talking points from another undefeated week for the Blues.
Coverage
If you’re further afield, follow our live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter).
The manager’s post-match reaction will be available on YouTube following the game.
Club 1870 subscribers get a first look at the goals from 10pm on Saturday night, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Sunday, with Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
