Albion Rovers 2 Gretna 6

Last updated : 23 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Gretna took all three points after another convincing victory against a youthful Albion side.

Early on David Bingham and Kenny Deuchar showed their class when they combined well only for Mark Peat to gather the shot comfortably.

Minutes later at the other end a Scott Crabbe free-kick was turned over the bar by David Mathieson.

The keeper was then involved in a mix up with defender David Irons. However he recovered well to save with his legs from Rovers striker Paul McManus.

On 32 minutes Gretna took the lead when a dangerous inswinging corner by Ryan Baldacchino wasn't cleared properly by the Rovers defence and Bingham nodded the ball home.

Just before half-time McManus had a strike well saved by Mathieson, then at the other end Bingham volleyed just over following some neat play by Baldacchino.

Early in the second half Gretna almost conceded when a shot passed back from Irons put McManus through, but his control let him down.

Then on 51 minutes Gretna doubled their advantage as James McQuilken fired the ball home following a neat one-two with Bingham.

The visitors then made it three on 59 minutes when full-back Mark Birch unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner from 25 yards.

Gretna were cruising by this point and made it four when Bingham pounced on a Peat mistake to set up Gavin Skelton to fire home.

Bingham then rounded off an excellent all-round display on 71 minutes with an exquisite lob. He was replaced shortly after by Brian Wake.

The substitute got Gretna's sixth shortly after Albion substitute John Bradford had netted a consolation.

Bradford got his and Rovers' second late on, but it was to no avail as Gretna ran out as clear and comfortable winners.