Stirling University 2

Vale of Leithen 2

Bobby Craigie

at Forthbank

A POINT away from home is a good result, however at the end of the game the Vale will feel that it should have been all three.

The game started with Chris Anderson's team on the back foot as the youthfulness and pace of the home was causing problems.

The pressure eventually paid off for the Students in the 13th minute when some slack Vale play in the midfield resulted in long cross ball by Blair Lyons arriving at the feet of Rory McEwan, who had time and space to lob Ross Gilpin.

This spurred on the Vale with Sean Stewart starting to create all sorts of problems for the home defence with his speed and movement.

And he was rewarded in the 21st minute when a good pass from Paul Dickson allowed the striker to beat a couple of defenders before slotting into the net.

With Vale now in command a through ball on 28 minutes caught out the defence and with Stewart bearing down on the goal he was taken out by home keeper John Allan just outside the box.

The referee deemed this only a yellow card offence, although as last man it could have been a red.

From the resultant Kerr Allan free kick the keeper made a good stop but was unable to knock clear and Bonnar followed up to head home for 2-1.

Things got worse for the University when in the 40th minute Lyons was red carded for a lunge at Stewart.

The second half was only five minutes old when after slack play again in the midfield, Vale gave away a free kick on the left.

The flighted ball in the six yard box came off McBride's head for an own goal.

The rest of the half was played out with neither team in control and with Vale not taking advantage of the extra player.

The only two real chances fell to Vale were when both Stewart and Currie were unlucky not to score.

Vale of Leithen. Ross Gilpin, James Elliot, Alex Imlah, Jack Blaikie, Craig McBride, Ryan Currie, David Bonnar, Paul Dickson, Kerr Allan, Liam Ireland and Sean Stewart. Subs Liall Smith, Ainslie Hunter, Ross Brady, Brad Rixon, Marc Berry & Kieron Beveridge.