It is often said that attack wins games while defence wins championships.
Stranraer’s frontmen have attracted plenty of headlines in recent weeks with 31 goals since the start of last month.
However, at the other end of the park, the Blues have also been in impressive form.
Chris Aitken’s men have the best defensive record in League Two with only nine goals conceded.
Both departments were once again on top against Spartans last weekend with the attacking talents of Seb Mason and Aaron Healy finding the net and none conceded by Max Currie and his defence.
Lewis Gillie is one of those defenders who has played a starring role so far this campaign.
Speaking at full time at Ainslie Park after coming off the bench, he said: “It was another clean sheet, which is really good.
“It is what we aim for as defenders.
“Another three points to keep us top of the league, which is really good.
“It was tough today, they were really good.
“The boys that were playing at the start of the game played really well.
“Then I came on and finished the job.”
Gillie made the loan switch to Stranraer from Hibernian, alongside team-mate Zach Bruce.
Both have been instrumental in the impressive start to the season at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park.
Top of the table after 11 games, Gillie said the team were ready to embrace the pressure that comes with leading the way.
The 18-year-old said: “We just need to keep doing what we are doing.
“Nothing really changes.
“We are top of the league, we are the team that everyone wants to aim for and beat but we will just keep playing our same game.
“We will keep doing what we are doing and hopefully we can go all the way and win the league.”
Attention switches from League Two to the Scottish Cup this weekend when Tayport visit Dumfries and Galloway.
The Midlands League side have already defeated Carluke Rovers, St Andrews United and Wick Academy to reach the second round.
Gillie was hopeful his team could manage both Scottish Cup progression and continue battling at the top of the league table.
He said: “I think we have got a good group of boys and we can go and win both, hopefully.”
Stranraer’s last five meetings with non-SPFL clubs in the Scottish Cup
- Stranraer 2 Clydebank 1 (Own goal and Edgar; Preston) at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park on November 29, 2025
- Stranraer 4 Glenafton Athletic 0 (Dolan, Own goal, Hunter and Edgar) at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park on October 25, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Broxburn Athletic 2 (Dunlop; Page and Locke) at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park on November 30, 2024
- Threave Rovers 2 Stranraer 3 (Cairnie and Irving; Edgar x2 and Lang) at Meadow Park on October 25, 2023
- Civil Service Strollers 0 Stranraer 3 (Girvan, Ross and Robertson) at Christie Gillies Park on October 28, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Spartans (A): 0-2 (Mason and Healy)
- DRAW v Kilmarnock B (H): 3-3 (Mason (Pen), Quigg and Plank)
- WIN v Annan Athletic (A): 1-6 (Healy x2, Traynor, Own goal and Cleland x2)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (H): 0-0
- WIN v East Kilbride (H): 4-3 (Quigg, McManus and Dunne x2)
Tayport
- WIN v Letham (H): 4-0 (Lowe, Yule and Crighton x2)
- WIN v Brechin Vics (A): 0-7 (Yule x2, Cunningham, Crighton, Cord and Reid x2)
- WIN v Wick Academy (H): 3-0 (Yule x2 and Reid)
- WIN v Downfield (A): 0-2 (Crighton and Lowe)
- WIN v Islavale (A): 0-9 (Reid x2, Kelly, Yule x2, Own goal, Crighton x2 and Smith)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Spartans: Currie, Coll (Gillie 82), Nair, McLuckie, Dunne, Quigg, Healy (Plank 72), Traynor (Dolan 72), Bruce (Stuart 65), Dobbie, Mason (Cleland 82).
Not used: Cameron, Foster and Henderson.
Tayport
Lineup v Letham: Clarkson, O Lunan, Lowe, Crighton, McColm, Smith, Yule, Cunningham, Tennant, Sivewright, Cord.
Substitutes: Simpson, P Lunan, Ballantine and Duncan.
Five facts
- Seb Mason’s goal in the 12th minute against Spartans was the first time Stranraer had scored in that minute since Dean Cleland scored against Spartans in February.
- Following the victory at Ainslie Park, Stranraer have scored in nine out of 10 away games this season. The only exception being the 3-0 defeat to Falkirk in the Premier Sports Cup.
- Craig Feroz can say he was unbeaten during his time at Stranraer, although he did not play at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park. The frontman, who turns 49 on Saturday, joined Stranraer on loan from Livingston in early 2000. He featured in a 1-1 draw away to Arbroath and then the same scoreline at Stenhousemuir. The line-up on his debut was: McGeown, Wright, Knox, Smith, Watson, Cahoon, MacDonald, Feroz (Young 87), Harty, Blaikie, Ronald. Not used: Jenkins and Walker.
- Kenzi Nair is the only outfield player in the Stranraer squad not to come off the bench this season. All 15 of his appearances in a blue shirt have come from the start.
- In Stranraer’s six games away from home, they have scored 19 goals. In last season’s 18 away league contests, they found the net on 24 occasions.
Admission
Admission is ‘pay at the gate’. Season tickets are not valid for Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies:
- Adult – £17
- Concession (over 65) – £12
- Youth (5 to 16) – £6
- Under 5 – FREE
Pavilion Bar
Pop into our ever-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.
Merchandise
Stop off at the new club shop in the McLeans Taxis Stand, which is stocked with kits, exclusive Adidas teamwear, hats, scarves, umbrellas, pin badges, key rings, stickers and much more.
Cash and card payments are accepted.
Podcast
Catch this week’s bumper edition of club podcast Look Blues Talking for a full preview of this weekend’s cup tie, along with post-match reaction from Aaron Quigg, a review of our KDM Evolution Trophy campaign and all the talking points from the wins away to Annan and Spartans.
Coverage
You can 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 on Saturday night, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube by Sunday morning, with Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin back together again on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Dylan Heron