Martin Bavidge (6 mins)
David Cox (73 mins)
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Championship Third
, Dec 29, 2012
Ground: Balmoor Stadium
, Kickoff: 15:00 , Att 446
Team news
Ross missing for the Blue Toon Peterhead are without Scott Ross who starts a three-game ban against East Stirling with manager Jim McInally determined to put on a good show against a side he feels are vastly improved this season despite their second bottom position.
Davie Ross remains out injured, however Ryan McCann has recovered from illness and will return for the Blue Toon.
"This is a big game for us as we want to get back into the top four as soon as possible and a win helps us do that," McInally said. "The Shire are an improved side so we have to be careful particularly as we are a bit light at the back.
"We have been strong at home all season and another win at Balmoor sets us up nicely for 2013." East Stirling welcome back Michael Herd to their squad as they look to repeat their 2-1 success over their hosts earlier this season.
The Shire include trialists Raymond Buchanan and Andy Stirling for a third and final time, however Rhys Devlin, Craig Donaldson, Jamie Benton and Nathan Shepherd all remain out with knocks.
Head coach John Coughlin said: "We are playing better this season but we do not have the points to show for it so it is quite frustrating. It is always a tight game between Peterhead and ourselves and this one will be the same.
Peterhead vs East Stirling
Last modified 18:15 29/12/12
Blue Toon take the points Peterhead boosted their play-off hopes with a deserved 2-0 win over East Stirling.
The Blue Toon took the lead after just six minutes, Martin Bavidge firing in a right-footed shot from 12 yards after latching onto a Steven Noble pass.
East Stirling tried to rally but saw David Greenhill's left-footed strike cleared by Scott McLaughlin.
Midfielder Greenhill then drilled a 12-yard shot wide of Graeme Smith's left-hand post.
But the home side kept on pushing for a second and substitute Robert Winters saw his left-footed volley blocked by Raymond Buchanan just after the break.
| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Substitution | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graeme Smith | ||||
| 4 | Ryan McCann(sub 63) |
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| 6 | Ryan Strachan | ||||
| 5 | Ross Smith | ||||
| 8 | James Redman | ||||
| 2 | Dean Cowie | ||||
| 7 | David Cox |
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| 11 | Scott McLaughlin | ||||
| 3 | Steven Noble | ||||
| 9 | Rory McAllister(sub 21) |
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| 10 | Martin Bavidge(sub 75) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 21 | Paul Jarvie | ||||
| 12 | Robert Winters(sub 21) |
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| 14 | Stephen Maguire(sub 75) |
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| 15 | Graeme Sharp(sub 63) |
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| Player rating out of ten | Player name | Did they score? | Player's disciplinary record | Substitution | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grant Hay | ||||
| 2 | Steven Jackson | ||||
| 4 | Jordan Holt | ||||
| 5 | Raymond Buchanan | ||||
| 3 | Scott Maxwell | ||||
| 7 | David Greenhill(sub 85) |
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| 10 | Andrew Stirling | ||||
| 8 | Jamie McKernon | ||||
| 6 | Mark Begg | ||||
| 9 | Kevin Turner(sub 81) |
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| 11 | Michael Herd(sub 82) |
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| Substitutes | |||||
| 17 | Craig Gordon | ||||
| 12 | Paul Quinn(sub 82) |
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| 14 | Phillip Zufle | ||||
| 15 | Jamie Glasgow(sub 81) |
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| 16 | Conor Kelly(sub 85) |
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| Team | Peterhead | East Stirling |
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