SHIRE 1 ELGIN CITY 1

It was a lucky escape. Jamie Stevenson’s last minute goal gave Shire a draw in a game they had been overwhelming favourites to win, much to the relief of the home faithful.

But there was little else to be happy about on an otherwise disappointing day for the club when the team just failed to find the spark they required to win. Everyone left Ochilview unsatisfied, but with a recognition that things could have been worse.

Michael Bolochoweckyj, still serving a league suspension, and Marc McKenzie were the players left out of the team that started the Annan Athletic cup-tie on Tuesday night.

Their places went to club captain Craig Tully and Andy Rodgers, who had recovered from the stomach bug that laid him low in midweek. Jim McInally named two trialists on the bench; one of them Simon Lynch, the former Celtic and Preston North End striker.

Elgin City, fresh from their 3-0 midweek Challenge Cup victory over Albion Rovers, were again without full-back Allan Dempsie through injury but they included old Shire favourite David Craig at the back.

Shire had the early pressure through a couple of Dean Richardson corner kicks, both flighted to Tully at the back post but his headers were weak. After seven minutes Richardson threaded a perfect pass through to Stephen McGuire who was clean through on goal before being halted by the standside linesman’s offside flag.

After 13 minutes Andy Rodgers carved out the game’s first chance, finding Craig Donaldson but his shot was deflected off a defender’s heels for a corner.

A minute later the home defence were caught square by McDonald’s through ball and Craig Gunn showed good pace to round Jamie Barclay and slot the ball into the net for the game’s opening goal.

A minute later it should have been 2-0. Craig Frizzell sent in a dangerous cross from the right and Tully, trying to clear, almost headed the ball into his own net.

Shire were having a hard time creating any kind of danger near the Elgin City goal and the best they could muster were a couple of long range efforts from Paul Weaver and Richardson.

But on 37 minutes a great one-two between Rodgers and Stevenson set up Rodgers who should have scored but his shot was weak and Gibson got down to save.

Elgin then had two great opportunities to increase their advantage. A 40th minute corner found Mark Nicolson unmarked in the centre of the penalty box but rather than burst the net, he blazed the ball over the bar.

Three minutes later another amazing miss for the visitors. Craig Frizzell’s free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar by Jamie Barclay but when the rebound landed at the feet of Kyle McAulay he scooped the ball over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Shire started the second half with a surge. Richardson’s cross-cum-shot was tipped behind for a corner and the flag kick found Eddie Forrest at the near post but his shot was over the bar.

After 63 minutes Stevenson’s corner landed at the feet of Donaldson at the back post but his netbound effort was cleared for a corner amid Shire claims of handball. A minute later Donaldson had another shot cleared off the line by Paul Kaczan.

Shire sent on Marc McKenzie and Simon Lynch on for David King and Stephen McGuire but it seemed to make little difference to the number of chances.

Referee Frank McDermott made life a little easier for Shire on 75 minutes when he red carded Elgin  City full-back David A. Craig. The defender was involved in an off-the-ball incident with Andy Rodgers on the touchline right in front of the far side linesman.

The extra man  gave Shire more soom and after 79 minutes Stevenson found Rodgers free inside the penalty box but his volley went well over the bar. McKenzie tried his luck twice from long range as Shire sought to salvage something from a disappointing afternoon but it seemed no reward would be forthcoming.

Then Rodgers and Stevenson swapped passes on the edge of the box, giving Jamie enough space and a clear sight of goal to curl a lovely shot past the grasp of Gibson for the equaliser with just a minute of the game left.

SHIRE : Barclay, Hay, Forrest(Elliott 88), Tully, King(McKenzie 64), Weaver, Donaldson, Stevenson, McGuire(Lynch 64), Richardson, Rodgers.

ELGIN CITY : Gibson, Niven, D.A. Craig, Kaczan, D.W. Craig, McDonald(Calder 73), Gunn, MacAuley, Frizzell, Nicolson, Crooks.

REFEREE : F. McDermott

ATTENDANCE : 324.