Focus is firmly on Stranraer and doing everything they can to reach the promotion playoffs, according to Matty Gillies.
The loan signing has been one of a number of impressive additions to the Stair Park squad this campaign.
The transformation, including a midweek win over Clyde, has led the Blues into the top four with just half a dozen games to play.
However, a fierce battle lies ahead as the majority of teams in the division look to extend their season and secure a chance to reach League One.
Saturday brings a trip to Galabank as Stranraer tackle one of those teams chasing a place in the top four.
Willie Gibson’s Annan Athletic have held the upper hand in the clashes between the two clubs this campaign, with a 1-0 win followed by two draws.
Gillies was hopeful Stranraer could finally get the three points that will not only strengthen their playoff bid but dent Annan’s hopes.
The 19 year old said: “I think we have to take confidence from Tuesday night and take it into the game on Saturday.
“We are more than good enough to cause any teams problems.
“We know, if we take care of our games, then that is all we can do.
“We have given a right go.
“If we look after our games and make sure we get maximum points in the games that we play, then everything will take care of itself.”
Since joining alongside Hearts team-mate Dominic Plank, Gillies has made 24 appearances for Stranraer.
Earlier this month, he grabbed his first goal for the club when he found the net against East Kilbride.
He said: “Honestly, I have loved it so far.
“I have loved every minute of it.
“From working under the gaffer and the coaching staff to playing with the boys and in front of the fans, it has been brilliant.
“It has been a very, very different kind of environment from what I am used to being in but I have loved it and it is where I want to be.”
Gillies came off the bench on Tuesday night as Stranraer grabbed three points against a Clyde side that had defeated them just days earlier.
An own goal was followed by strikes from Evan Dunne and Deryn Lang as Stranraer won 3-1.
It was a result that put the Blues in pole position for the remaining play-off spot at the top of the table.
Gillies said: “I think the goals either side of half time were crucial.
“I think the timing of the goals is crucial because getting one just before half time settles everyone down a little bit.
“It maybe becomes a different conversation at half time, as opposed to if you go down 1-0 you are maybe thinking about changing something, maybe tactically, maybe personnel wise, but I think getting that goal before half time was ideal for us.
“I don’t think we deserved to be going in 1-0 down.”
Last meeting
Neither Stranraer nor Annan Athletic could find a breakthrough as they drew with each other for the second time this season.
Dominic Plank had a shot from outside the box go just past the post in a first half that was limited in terms of chances. The home defence survived a scare with a scramble at a corner before Corey O’Donnell could not generate enough power to divert Evan Dunne’s cross into the net. Annan could have won it at the end but Joel Mumbongo put the ball wide after Scott Hooper headed towards goal.
Stranraer: Currie, Reid, McGrath, Dunne, Coll, Quigg (Hughes 78), Plank, Gillies (McKnight 39), Dolan (McManus 67), Lang, Cleland (O’Donnell 67).
Not used: Ecrepont, Docherty, Hunter and Tas.
Annan Athletic: Albinson, Hooper, Watson, R Muir (Maxwell 59), Clark, Carrick, Dixon (Mumbongo 59), P Smith (Gaffney 81), A Smith, T Muir, Gibson (McGowan 72).
Not used: Kilsby and Clarke.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 0 Annan Athletic 0 at Stair Park on February 7, 2026
- Annan Athletic 2 Stranraer 2 (Gaffney and Smith; Russell (Pen) and Lang) at Galabank on December 27, 2025
- Stranraer 0 Annan Athletic 1 (Watson) at Stair Park on October 4, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Annan Athletic 5 (Dunlop; Smith x2, Gibson (Pen), Wood and Dixon) at Stair Park on September 7, 2024
- Annan Athletic 3 Stranraer 1 (Kilsby, Docherty and Smith; McDonald) at Galabank on August 15, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Clyde (H): 3-1 (Reid, Dunne and Lang)
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 2-1 (Hughes)
- WIN v East Kilbride (H): 2-1 (Gillies and Reid)
- LOSS v Dumbarton (A): 2-0
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (A): 4-1 (McGrath)
Annan Athletic
- LOSS v Dumbarton (A): 2-1 (Watson)
- WIN v Edinburgh City (H): 3-0 (Goss x3)
- WIN v Elgin City (H): 2-1 (Gibson (Pen) and A Smith)
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (H): 3-3 (Dixon, T Muir and Goss)
- LOSS v Spartans (A): 4-0
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Clyde: Tas, Ecrepont, Reid, McGrath, Dunne, Stuart, Hughes (Quigg 71), Plank (Lynch 82), Hunter (Gillies 82), Turay (Dolan 64), Lang (McManus 70).
Not used: McKnight, Docherty and Burns.
Annan Athletic
Lineup v Dumbarton: Albinson, Hooper, Watson, Carrick, Dixon (McGowan 74), P Smith (Maxwell 74), A Smith, Sowa, T Muir, Goss, Gibson.
Not used: R Muir, Mumbongo and Clarke.
Five facts
- Evan Dunne is the first Stranraer player to score in the 48th minute since James Hilton found the net against Forfar Athletic in July 2022. That contest would finish 2-2 (Scott McLean scored the other Stranraer goal) before Forfar won 5-3 on penalties. The result was then scrapped and Forfar given a 3-0 win.
- Deryn Lang was the first Stranraer player to score in the 68th minute since Paul Woods against Hamilton Academical in July 2022. However, between those two dates, there was another goal in Stranraer’s favour. Caleb Goldie scored an own goal but Peterhead would still win 3-2.
- Defender John Robertson celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday. The full-back made more than 500 career appearances, including more than 65 in a Stranraer shirt after joining from Bonnyton Amateurs. He would go on to have three spells at Ayr United, as well as playing for Oxford United, St Johnstone, Ross County, Hamilton Academical and Partick Thistle.
- Deryn Lang’s 25th goal in a Stranraer shirt pulls him level with Annan manager – and former Blues favourite – Wullie Gibson. His 13th of the season means he has matched Scott Agnew’s tally in the 2017/18 campaign as the highest scorer since Craig Malcolm’s 18 the year previously.
- Stranraer have won just one of the last 10 encounters with Annan Athletic. That came in July 2022 when a Paul Woods penalty separated the two sides. The victorious team was: Scullion, Ellis, Girvan, Ross, Watt, Brady, Woods, Forrest, McLean, Hilton (Walker 88), Malcolm. Not used: Robertson, Dunn and O’Connor.
Admission
Buying your ticket online in advance is recommended via the home club’s ticketing platform, or alternatively you can pay cash at the turnstile.
All entry is via the home turnstile, and Annan’s clubhouse is open to all from midday.
Podcast
Check out this week’s edition of Look Blues Talking for a review of our double header with Clyde, interviews with Blues centurion Finn Ecrepont, new signing Edin Lynch and penalty hero Lyndon Tas, and a preview of this weekend’s trip to Galabank.
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 calling the action on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
