A stalemate was played out between Stenhousemuir and The Spartans at Ochilview on Saturday afternoon.

Stenhousemuir welcomed The Spartans to Ochilview for a 1^st v 2^nd clash at the top of the cinch league two. Gary Naysmith named an unchanged lineup to the side that got back to winning ways against Bonnyrigg Rose last Saturday.

The Spartans had the first chance of the match, Carswell’s long goal kick was carried by the wind and knocked out for a corner by Darren Jamieson. Henderson headed narrowly over from the corner.

The visitors then had another half chance 15 minutes in. Dishington did well to get away from Bilham, creating a yard of space, but his long-range shot is over DJ’s goal

Stenhousemuir responded with some excellent play by Matty Yates who found Meechan in acres of space on the right flank. There were small shouts for a penalty as Matty Aitken was needlessly bundled over, but nothing was given.

The middle of the first half was a bit of a non-event with both sides cancelling each other out in the middle of the park. Both sides threatened to get forward but neither team could muster any efforts to test the two goalkeepers.

The Spartans then came closest to opening the scoring just before the break. The ball fell to Rhys Armstrong on the edge of the box. Nicky Jamieson got in front of it and deflects it narrowly wide.

The away side then had the first chance of the second half, Cammy Russell met Armstrong’s cross on the volley, but Darren Jamieson held well.

Stenhousemuir then had another big shout for a penalty. Matty Yates played an enticing ball into the box, and Mikey Anderson is taken out from behind by 2 defenders, but the referee waved away any claims.

Danny Denholm had a great chance to give Spartans the lead in the 69^th minute, he was able to get past Gregor Buchanan, but he was able to get back and stop Denholm getting his shot away.

Stenhousemuir had a huge chance to open the scoring five minutes later, Mikey Anderson closed down Carswell on the ball. Carswell then kicked the ball right off Anderson, and it trickled beyond the post.

In the 80^th minute Bilham was forced to clear a corner off the line after it had been directed towards the near post by a Sonkur.

The Warriors pushed late on to try and get the decisive goal and had two big chances to get the goal. Rodden’s ball across the six-yard box somehow missed everyone. Brown did well to win a corner, but The Spartans were able to clear from it.

Stenhousemuir really pushed to get the elusive goal in the closing stages of the match. Ross Meechan had a cross hit the bar just before added time. The after a goalmouth scramble the ball fell perfectly for Wedderburn on the six-yard line, but he volleyed over the bar.

The match ended in a stalemate where both sides cancelled out each other and had to settle for a point.

Match report by Angus ‘The Pint’ Blacklock