SHIRE 2 ELGIN CITY 0

Shire had designated the midweek clash with Elgin City a charity fundraiser for a worthy cause. But there was no mercy for the visitors who were put to the sword, and by full-time were well-beaten. The home team could even afford to miss two penalties and a hatful of chances and emerge relatively untroubled.

The three points gained leaves Shire again only a point behind leaders Livingston with a game in hand. Crucially, it was the team’s eighth win in a rowand it showed after a slow start, with confidence oozing through the team the longer the game went on.

It was no surprise that Jim McInally named the same starting eleven after Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Berwick Rangers.

That meant two-goal Stephen McGuire kept his place and Derek Ure was left to sit on the bench. Skipper Craig Tully was the only member of the weekend sixteen not to make it.

He suffered a broken bone in his foot and was expected to be out for a number of weeks. His place on the bench went to Craig Donaldson, who had himself missed out at the weekend due to an ankle injuiry.

Visitors Elgin City had themselves recorded a good weekend win over Albion Rovers and their manager Ross Jack named the same starting eleven as well.

And it was the visitors who carried their Saturday form forward better from kick-off. They managed the game’s first shot after four minutes but Neil MacDonald’s shot from the 18 yard line was easily saved by Jamie Barclay.

After 13 minutes Craig Gunn’s mazy run into the Shire box created a moment of real danger but he was prevented from getting a shot on target by a great tackle from Michael Bolochoweckyj.

Elgin continued the forward momentum and minute later MacDonald floated in a free-kick which Paul Kaczan headed just over the bar.

It took Shire 17 minutes before they managed a shot on goal. Ryan Harding threaded the ball through to Andy Rodgers who tried to curl a shot in at the far post but it went wide.

Two minutes later Shire had the best possible opportunity to take the lead when Lynch was fouled inside the box by Kaczan. Referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the penalty spot and Lynch took the kick but Gibson tipped the ball onto the post and behind for a corner.

Lynch was a relieved man six minutes later when they eventually did take the lead. Weaver played the ball wide to Stevenson whose first-time cross from the right was headed home by Lynch from six yards out.

On the half hour mark Dean Richardson’s ball into the box was met by Stevenson’s looping header which struck the front of the post and was cleared by the Elgin defence.

But Elgin were not out of things after 35 minutes Shane Sutherlands hit a fierce net bound drive which beat Barclay but was cleared off the line by Weaver at the post. A minute later Kyle MacAulay sent in a header which Barclay did well to save.

Six minutes from the break Stevenson tried his luck with a long-range free-kick which beat the defensive wall but Gibson was able to save.

Some good play in the opening minute sent McGuire clear down the right and his low cross went right across goal to Lynch but the Shire goalscorer could not connect.

Lynch had a better chance to make it 2-0 after 48 minutes when he was played in by Rodgers but his shot on the turn, although well-struck, brought a great full-stretch save from Gibson.

And three minutes later the Shire centre was clean through on Gibson with only the keeper to beat but his effort went wide of the far post.

Ten minutes into the second period Shire were awarded a second penalty when Kaczan pulled down McGuire. This time Rodgers took it but opted to blast it down the middle of the goal and Gibson was easily able to block.

After 64 minutes Lynch again stung the fingers of the Elgin keeper with a shot on the turn which he turned round the post for a corner kick.

Shire had more than enough of possession to create plenty of chances but their failure was to take any of them. Emblematic of that was an opportunity that fell to Weaver after 72 minutes when McGuire cut the ball back to him 10 yards from goal but he hit the shot miles over the bar.

Eventually Shire did manage to score a second goal. Lynch played the ball out wide to Stevenson on the right. He cut inside and unleashed a tremendous drive from the angle of the penalty box low into the far corner of the net.

Late on there was another chance for Stevenson from a free-kick directly in front of goal but this time his shot shaved the outside of the post.

SHIRE : Barclay, Harding, Richardson, Forrest, Bolochoweckyj, Hay, McGuire(McKenzie 81), Stevenson(Dunn 81), Lynch, Weaver, Rodgers(Ure 75).

ELGIN CITY : Gibson, Niven, D.A Craig(Edwards 78), Kaczan, D.W. Craig, Morrison, Gunn, MacAulay, Frizzell, MacDonald(Cameron 54), Sutherland.

REFEREE : K Clancy

ATTENDANCE : 349.