Preview Stranraer

Stranraer have not lost in their last eleven matches since Dunfermline defeated them at the end of October

Season 1994-1995 was the last season Dunfermline Athletic and Stranraer were in the same league. In the two matches this season Dunfermline have won both, 3-1 at East End Park on the last day of August and then 2-1 at Stair Park on the last Saturday in October. It is now 18 meetings back since Stranraer last won against the Pars.  

Out of 36 fixtures between the two, the Galloway opposition have won just three times and only one of  those wins was at East End Park. Stranraer have drawn once in 18 visits and the match they won 4-2 was in the League Cup in season 1979-80. Goals by McAloon (65 pen) and Robertson (77) had put the Pars two up but Stranraer got it level to force extra time in which they scored another two. 

Manager Jim Jefferies watched them hold Rangers to a draw at Ibrox on Boxing Day and as he often does in League One noted a side with experienced players who will try and make it difficult for his young Pars team. Their 4-0 win on Saturday over fourth placed Ayr United raised the alarm bells.

Dunfermline`s best result against Stranraer was in Division Two in April 1958 when a Charlie Dickson hat trick helped the Pars to a 9-1 scoreline. The scorers in the last home win over Stranraer in August were Andy Geggan, Luke Johnston and Allan Smith. The drawn match in November 1983 was just five games into Jim Leishman`s managerial career.

Stranraer have not lost in their last eleven matches since Dunfermline defeated them at the end of October and have not lost away from home since visiting Easter Road in the League Cup on 24th September. The only team to have beaten Dunfermline in their dozen games since their 2-1 win at Stranraer has been Rangers.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Stenhousemuir): Ryan Scully; Ryan Williamson, Kerr Young, Lewis Martin, Alex Whittle (Ross Drummond HT); Shaun Byrne, Stephen Husband (Chris Kane 72), Andy Geggan (c); Faissal El Bakhtaoui, Ryan Wallace, Jordan Moore (Allan Smith 61).
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Dargo, Lewis Spence, Ryan Goodfellow (GK).

STRANRAER (v Ayr United): David Mitchell, Scott Robertson, Frank McKeown, Scott Rumsby,  Mark Docherty; Sean Winter (Lloyd Kinnaird 89), Steven Bell, Grant Gallagher, Andrew Stirling (Ryan Borris 59), Martin Grehan, Jamie Longworth (David McKenna 72). 
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Fahey, David McGregor.

Referee will be Alan Muir.