Elgin City assistant manager Keith Gibson would be happy to win ugly but felt the Borough Briggs’ victory on Saturday was a thing of beauty.
The 2-0 triumph elevated Elgin into the play-off positions after a third win in a row since Gibson’s arrival as second-in-command to Gavin Price.
City have worked hard on attacking play lately and it seemed to bear fruit on Saturday as Stenhousemuir were swept aside.
Defeats for Annan and Stirling Albion strengthened the Black and Whites’ hand with 15 matches to play.
Gibson said: “That first half performance was the best since I’ve come in. Some of the play going forward and defensively was really pleasing.
“Not many teams in this league manage three wins in a row so it’s been good and we want to keep the good work going. I know supporters want to see free-flowing football, but I’d take a scrappy 1-0 any day of the week.
“But I think today the lads showed a different side as well.
“We’ve been focusing on that attacking side in training and, in the first half especially, we just showed we can be really exciting at times going forward.
“Brian Cameron was excellent, Thomas Reilly, Scott Smith, and Ali Sutherland, all supporting Chris McLeish up front. I think Ali has got the potential to be a real match-winner for us.
“The substitutes should get a great deal of credit as well. They will be disappointed not to be starting but they’ve come on and made a real impact.
“They could let their heads go down but take a guy like Chris Dodd. He’s come on in the last three games and made an impact and Declan Byrne has done it, too, winning the penalty that sealed the game. I thought he was great when he came on.”
A strong wind and rain made it difficult for both teams and it was half an hour into the match before either side had a sniff of goal.
Elgin’s Chris McLeish sent a low shot in off the post to open the scoring on 33 minutes.
Scott Smith was close to adding a second home goal, firing just past two minutes later.
Ten minutes after the break it took a fine save by Stenny keeper Chris Smith to deny City skipper Jon-Paul McGovern.
At the other end Dundee United loan keeper Brett Long’s first save came on the hour when Stenny sub Colin McMenamin raced through.
The visitors pushed for a leveller but seemed to run out of ideas and Elgin sealed their win with a spot kick right at the death.
After a foul on Byrne in the box, Reilly slotted home from the spot to wrap up the home team’s third win in a row.