Used with permission from Stranraerfc.com (following the link for match pictures).

Stranraer made the long trip north to play lowly Elgin at Borough Briggs on Saturday hoping to keep their two-point cushion over Stirling intact at the top of the Third Division. The match was played on a fine and sunny afternoon in front of a respectable crowd of 663 with around 50 of that being far travelled Blues fans. The players came out to warm applause and the small group of Stranraer supporters made their presence known by singing and partying even before kick-off.

The half started with Kevin Finlayson cutting inside before firing narrowly over from 25 yards. It was 9 minutes before Elgin had an effort on goal with Steve McCormick making space for himself and hitting a low shot straight at Andy McCondichie.

The Blues got back on the attack with dangerous pacy striker David Graham going past a couple of City defenders but his weak effort trundled past the near post from a good position.

Stranraer suffered a double bow in the 20th minute when both strikers were off the park for head knocks. Michael Moore had a bleeding nose that kept him off the park for around 5 minutes.

The big striker recovered by setting up David Graham. Wingate's free-kick got flicked on by Moore and "Hollywood's" turn and shot was brilliantly turned over by Martin Pirie.

Elgin were working hard though and the dangerous Alex Bone had a decent effort, which went straight at McCondichie. A period of pressure from the home side came to nothing with Bone's effort deflected wide for a corner.

The Blues nearly took the lead on the half hour when Wingate's deep free kick found Moore and his towering header drifted inches past the far post.

Stranraer received a blow just on half-time when Michael Moore got booked for a lunge on a defender. Moore claimed his innocence saying the defender dived but the ref was having none of it. The booking now means Michael will now likely miss two games because of his points tally.

The second half started with both teams having shot's easily saved by the their goalkeepers. Although at this stage it was Elgin attacking their home support that looked hungrier. Tully had a header just wide and McCondichie saved well from a glancing header.

David Graham then had a great chance for the Blues which he made for himself by running 60 yards evading a couple of Elgin defenders before shooting straight at Pirie with just the goalie to beat. A great run from the wee man. Stranraer were starting to create more openings now and Moore had a couple of headers comfortably saved under the bar by Pirie.

Stranraer should have taken the lead with fifteen minutes left when a fine pass down the wing by Henderson released the speedy Graham. He got past the defender before firing a low cut back cross to the unmarked Sharp but the midfielder's badly mishit shot trickled wide from 8 yards. The Blues supporters behind the goals could not believe it. Similar was to happen shortly later when Crawford fresh aired when contact would have surely resulted in a goal.

Elgin had one more effort on goal, which was saved easily by McCondichie before the main talking point of the match occurred.

Blues sub Brian Crawford picked the ball up just inside the Elgin box. He tried to lob the ball over defender David Hind but the ball clearly struck his arm. The linesman put his flag up to indicate a penalty which it clearly should have been but the referee told the assistant to put his flag down and waved away the Blues claims. The ref Ian Fyfe didn't even speak to his assistant. The Stranraer players, management and supporters went crazy and the ref even had words with Blues physio Walter Cannon.

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Overall Summary- In the end another point in the bag on the way to promotion as Gretna lost ground by losing at home to Cowdenbeath. The lead is now 8 points from third but the Blues have a much superior goal difference. Stirling's 5-3 win at Albion Rovers now puts them level on 66 points with the Blues but Stranraer are seven goals better off and remain top.

After the match Blues assistant manager Stuart Millar felt the first half was fairly even although he felt Stranraer dominated the second period and probably merited a win even if just on chances. He gave credit to the opponents Elgin by saying he thinks they are much better team than their position says with their home form in particular being good. As for the decision at the end he thought it was a "stone waller" and the "assistant was in a far superior position to the ref so only he knows why he didn't give it and speak to his assistant". He also informed me that Stevie Aitken is carrying a slight injury and has been for a number of weeks so that is why Lee Collins was brought in. David Robertson thought Elgin thoroughly deserved a point as they defended well against the side he says are the "best side we've played against this season". On the incident at the end he said, "We got a bit of luck".

Attendance: 663