Plenty to build on

STRANRAER’S assistant manager believes the team are in a good place with a lot of momentum after opening their League Cup campaign.

On Saturday the Blues drew with Ross County at Stair Park. Ronan Hale’s first half opener was cancelled out by Tommy Sharp’s effort for the home side. Stranraer also manage to claim a bonus point after winning 6-5 on penalties.

And on Tuesday night the team were undone by two set pieces at Firhill up against Partick Thistle.

Thistle captain Lee Ashcroft headed the hosts ahead just before half-time and Tony Watt fired home a second late on.

Speaking after the defeat to Partick, Stranraer assistant Stevie Aitken said: “I’m over the moon, I thought the boys worked their socks off.

“It was always going to be difficult coming here. The first two games have been against Ross County – a team coming down from the Premier League – and Partick – a team trying to get into the Premier League.

“And to compete the way we did against those two teams I think will give us a lot of momentum going forward.

“The players in there are drained, there’s not much left in the tank. But they kept going. We’re over the moon with the first two games and we’re really happy with what we’re seeing.” Aitken added: “When you lose a goal just before half-time it can change the team talk a wee bit. I thought in the first 10-15 minutes they pinned us right in.

“We got through that spell and we grew into the game. We started to get men forward, we had a great opportunity and we hit the post.

“Then they score. It was a poor free-kick to give away, that’s something we’ll need to tidy up on.

“In the second half we dug in. Again another set play which we’re disappointed at.

“But over the piece we can’t complain. It’s been two really tough games to start with and a new group of players, some of them just coming back to fitness.

“We’re in a good place and the players will be happy enough with their first two games.”

Aitken said the players would be in Thursday night for a light training session to prepare for Saturday’s third group stage fixture, a trip to fellow League Two opposition Edinburgh City.