Stranraer sweat on play-off place after Bechin defeat

Stranraer must continue fighting for their play-off place until the final week of the season after a 1-0 defeat at Brechin opened the door to Airdrie or Albion.Brechin had the better of a quiet first half, but Cameron Belford brilliantly denied Andrew Jackson and defender Scott Robertson made a vital intervention as Robert Thomson prepared to shoot.Stranraer had a double chance just before half-time when Steven Bell was unable to steer a corner on target and Robertson had an effort blocked.Robert Thomson's improvised effort saw Brechin go close to a second-half opener and Robertson then rescued his team again, clearing off the line when Jamie Robson's shot was too hot for Belford to hold.The offside flag denied Paul Cairney the chance to put Stranraer ahead and Brechin took advantage when Robson finally broke through in the 81st minute from Thomson's pass.Mark McGuigan narrowly failed to connect with Bell's flick-on as Stranraer's last chance slipped away and they are just two points ahead of the chasing pair in the battle for the last play-off spot.Brechin's win condemned Forfar to relegation and left them battling with Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir to avoid the relegation play-off place.