Captain Grant Gallagher has urged his team to focus solely on the games involving Stranraer.
The Blues have taken nine points from a possible 15 in recent weeks but are yet to post back-to-back wins under manager Chris Aitken.
Saturday offers a chance to tick that off when they host Stirling Albion in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park.
Stranraer hold an 11-point advantage over bottom of the table Forfar Athletic, who are yet to visit Wigtownshire this season.
However, Gallagher was keen on his team to look at those above them and the chance to catch them.
He said: “We know we have got Forfar to play again.
“Being honest, when we come in and look at the scores, it is one of the first we look at.
“But, if we keep winning then it becomes irrelevant.
“The next few weeks are massive.”
The manager will be forced into one change from the win over Elgin City last time out.
Gallagher was forced off in the first half after being tackled by former Stranraer man Kyle Girvan.
The midfielder confirmed he would be missing for this weekend’s encounter and said: “The injury is more an impact injury.
“It is just where the impact was and it is quite high up and affecting my shin and calf area.
“It is just going to take one, two, maybe three weeks.
“It is all about how quickly it settles down because I am still walking with a limp at the moment.”
Gallagher had hobbled off shortly before half time but was back to watch the second half unfold.
It looked as if the game could be destined to end in a goalless draw – until Matty Grant’s memorable lobbed winner.
The 34-year-old was not convinced his team-mate was going for goal.
He said: “He admitted it straight away!
“He did say he was more looking to cross to the back post for Elliot Dunlop.
“I don’t know if it was the pitch but it came right up and over the goalkeeper.”
Last meeting
Both goals came in the closing stages of the game at Forthbank shortly before Christmas but there was action early doors as well.
Dale Hilson had charged down a Craig Ross clearance and then his attempted cross caught out Robbie Mutch, with Stranraer saved by the post. Stranraer would too hit the woodwork when Deryn Lang nodded Mark Russell’s free-kick onto an upright and Grant Gallagher could not force the ball over the line from close range.
Despite those early chances, it was not until the 88th minute that the deadlock was broken. Finn Ecrepont collected a loose ball before finding Elliot Dunlop, who crossed into the box for Mark Russell to score.
Unfortunately, Stranraer could not hold on and Josh Kerr rose highest to head home a stoppage time corner.
Stirling Albion: Gaston, Sula, Kerr, Weir (Davidson 62), Carrick, Knox, Waugh (Roy 62), Harkness, Crane, Brown, Hilson (Graham 74).
Not used: Cant, Boyle, Wright and Smith.
Stranraer: Mutch, Brindley (Ecrepont 77), Ross, McQueen (Reid 77), Robertson, Gallagher, Dunlop, Russell, McKnight (Foster 68), Grant, Lang (Guthrie 36).
Not used: Adam, Edgar and Pazikas.
Last five meetings
Stirling Albion 1 Stranraer 1 (Kerr; Russell) at Forthbank Stadium on December 21, 2024
Stranraer 0 Stirling Albion 2 (Sula and Brown) at Stair Park on September 28, 2024
Stirling Albion 2 Stranraer 2 (Stirling Albion win 4-2 on penalties) (McKinley and Roy; Edgar and Lang) at Forthbank Stadium on July 23, 2024
Stranraer 1 Stirling Albion 1 (Robertson; Leitch) at Stair Park on March 18, 2023
Stirling Albion 1 Stranraer 0 (Davidson) at Forthbank Stadium on January 28, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Elgin City (H): 1-0 (Grant)
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 2-0
- WIN v Spartans (H): 2-0 (Docherty and Edgar)
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 3-1 (Russell)
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (A): 0-1 (Gallagher)
Stirling Albion
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (H): 3-1 (Harkness, McNab and Shanley)
- WIN v Elgin City (H): 3-1 (Hilson, Harkness and Brown)
- LOSS v Spartans (H): 1-3 (Carrick)
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (A): 4-3 (Kerr and Graham x2)
- WIN v Bonnyrigg Rose (H): 3-0 (Graham, McNab and Brown)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Elgin City: Lane, Ross, Docherty, Ecrepont, Reid, Robertson, Gallagher (McKnight 38), Dunlop (Guthrie 87), Quigg, M Grant (Lang 87), Edgar (Foster 78).
Not used: Brindley and Kane.
Stirling Albion
Lineup v Forfar Athletic: Gaston, McGeachie (Sula 30), Kerr, L Grant, McNab, Waugh (Deveney 82), Harkness (Carse 76), Crane, Brown, Hilson (Constable 76), Shanley (Carrick 81).
Not used: Weir, Knox, Wright and Smith.
Five facts
1. Following Grant Gallagher’s injury and first half substitution, Scott Robertson was the oldest member of the Stranraer team on the pitch by more than a decade. The testimonial man turns 38 in November while Deryn Lang turns 26 in June.
2. If selected in the starting line-up this weekend, Finn Ecrepont will make his 50th start for the club. He has also come off the bench on eight occasions and found the net twice.
3. Mark Russell’s absence from the squad last weekend means no one has played in every game this season for Stranraer. He has featured on 31 occasions, as has Craig Ross, out of 32.
4. Friday marked the 24th birthday of former Stranraer defender Scott Dunn. Now at Cumbernauld Colts, he has also featured for Albion Rovers, East Stirlingshire and Queen of the South among other clubs. He made seven appearances for Stranraer between July and September 2022. His final appearance in a Blues shirt saw him play 78 minutes in a 3-1 defeat at Stenhousemuir. James Hilton scored for Stranraer while Matty Grant was sent off. The visiting line-up to Ochilview was: Scullion, Ellis, Girvan, Dunn (Duffy 78), Brady (Hilton 37), Walker (Robertson 37), Woods (Hawkshaw 76), Forrest, McLean, Grant, Malcolm. Not used: O’Connor.
5. Consecutive wins in the league have not been too common for Stranraer as of late. In fact, fans need to cast their minds back to August 2023 when a 1-0 win over Clyde (Olly McDonald) was followed by a 2-1 win over Peterhead (Tom Orr and Kyle Fleming).
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
All three 2024/25 Mizuno kits are back in stock and available from the merchandise hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand, along with training tops, clothing, scarves and club ties.
Cash and card payments are accepted and we open from 1.30pm.
Pavilion Bar
Pop into the 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.
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 later on Sunday.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Sunday, with a three-man commentary lineup of Brian Martin, Cameron Ritchie and special guest Grant Gallagher.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
