BACK TO WINNING WAYS

"Workmanlike" was how Shire coach Jim McInally described a 2-0 midweek victory over Albion Rovers at Ochilview.

First half goals from Michael Bolochoweckyj and Dean Richardson gave the team a welcome three point haul after some recent troubles.

It closes the gap on leaders Livingston to eight points.

And the coach says that is the way everyone at the club must look at the result.

"I know it doesn't seem like we will catch Livingston," he said. "But we have to keep on winning matches and we have to aim to close the gap as much as we can.

"There is no point looking at what is happening below you. We must always keep looking up."

The coach was full of praise for the players who have come in for a fair bit of flak after recent poor results.

"I would describe it as a workmanlike performance," he said. "We were up against a team who are on a good run of form and who don't lose goals, while we have been struggling a bit.

"We can play miles better than we did and I  think you can see confidence is still a bit low but we fought our corner and gave ourselves a good platform to play from."

Jim opted to alter the shape of the team and play with three central defenders and five in midfield, a switch he hadbeen contemplating for some time.

"After Saturday I  just thought the time was right to do it," he said. "I  also had it in my mind to play Paul Hay in that holding midfield role and that gave the rest of the boys a wee platform."

The goals came from unusual sources but Jim was quick to praise not just the scorers but those who created the chances.

"We always have the quality to get goals when it matters and they certainly provided the platform for our win."

Jim had no complaints about toughing things out for the win.

"That is the reality of the Third Division," he said. "It's not all about fancy football. Sometimes you just have to tough it out and I  felt we did that."