SIX OF THE BEST

Jim McInally paid tribute to his team's work ethic and a refusal to give up until victory had been achieved following a closely-contested 2-0 win over Stranraer at Ochilview.

It took late strikes from Andy Rodgers, his 10th of the season, and Simon Lynch to secure a sixth successive league win but until the goals the outcome of the match was far from certain.

The coach said his team's perseverance had paid off.

"When you saw the saves their keeper had pulled off earlier the thought was running through my mind that it was going to be one of those days," said Jim.

"But the players never gave up. They kept working hard looking for the goal that would give us the three points and they got their reward in the end."

There was praise for Simon Lynch, who set up Rodgers for the first and then scored the second.

"He just kept working away and it was his willingness to chase lost causes that got us the goals," said the coach.

"You might say the second goal was down to the keeper's error but Simon did well to put him under pressure and almost anticipate the mistake."

The three points again takes Shire level with leaders Livingston and further away from third place Berwick Rangers.

" It was a good day for us," said Jim. "Berwick losing allows a wee gap to start forming there. With the Livingston game off today the boys knew they had the chance to go level and that was a big incentive."

The first half was goalless and a tactical switch at the break saw Shire switch to three at the back.

"I wanted to get big Harding in there just to give us extra options and I also think the second half substitutes played their part. All three made an excellent contribution."

The defence registered its fourth successive shutout.

"That was a massively pleasing thing for me," he said. "The number of shutouts this season has been great. Again today although Jamie Barclay has had a few saves to make I don't think they really threatened us all that often."