The impressive south stand dominates Stranraer's Stair Park home, seen here rising above the ground entrance.
Maintaining a team playing at this level in such a geographically isolated and relatively small town must be a constant struggle. Certainly it is little surprise to see a team coach for both sides parked behind the stand, with many of the home teams players travelling from the more densely populated areas of the country.
Here is a closer view of the south stand which provides a superb vantage point to watch the game. This is taken before kick off, and although the attendance wasn't a particularly large one, it did fill up a little more than this.
East Stirlingshire provide the opposition, and with both sides expected to be amongst the leading contenders in Division Three, a close contest seems likely. So it proved, with nothing to seperate the teams after a first half played in constant drizzle.
A general view of the ground from the vantage point high up in the south stand.
Hiding amongst the trees above the stand roof, you can just make out the red roof of the quaint bandstand that sits in the public park outside the ground, and features on the front cover of the club's programme, which is entitled 'Beyond the Bandstand'. Also note the very unusual floodlights on the north side of the ground, which the next picture shows in more detail.
In an end to end start to the second half Kevin Cawley gives East Stirlingshire a 51st minute lead, but Stranraer eventually get back on terms after 78 minutes, Craig Malcolm heading home in front of the town end stand after good work by substitute Stuart McColm.
Extra time is needed then, but at least the weather has brightened somewhat now, allowing views of Loch Ryan, earlier shrouded by the murk, to become visible again, as a P&O ferry can be seen departing Cairnryan above the roof of the north stand.
The other end of the ground presents a very rural scene.
It is at this end that East Stirlingshire eventually seal a victory that is just about deserved on the balance of play. Substitute Darren Kelly had earlier in the extra period been denied by the woodwork, but with a penalty shoot out just three minutes away, he finds space in the penalty area, and the ball eventually falls for Dean Richardson to fire in the winner.
