Berwick Rangers entertained Stenhousemuir at Shielfield Park in what was only their second home game in the SPFL Development League East since the last week in October.

Barry Hogg’s thunderous 35 yard strike two minutes after the interval cancelled out Christopher Snedden’s opener in the first half, capitalising on a misplaced back-pass from the home goalkeeper Mark Walters. Berwick will count themselves unfortunate not to come away with all three points in the end squandering three excellent opportunities in the closing stages but the away side were well worthy of a point. 

 The hosts stamped their authority early on, Regan Graham had a shot that went narrowly wide from inside the area after Callum Runciman failed to clear a Berwick cross from the left. They charged forward again, this time Dwayne Coultress showing pace and strength raced to the byline delightfully crossing to that man again Graham, he found himself free in the area but he scuffed his effort when he should have done better.

Rangers didn’t give Stenhousemuir a moment’s peace on the ball as they struggled to string passes together and found it difficult to deal with the home sides pressing game whereas the home side were entering the final third at will knocking the ball around with purpose.

Stenny changed their passing style and started becoming more of a threat. Snedden raced onto Liam McCroary’s long, lofted ball over the top of the Berwick backline but his touch was to heavy as he attempted to round the goalkeeper.

Pressure was mounting from the away side and they managed to take advantage of a decent spell opening the scoring in the 42^nd minute. Walters rushed clearance found a maroon shirt and Snedden made no mistake with a neat finish from close range. Fraser Eddington deserved a lot of credit forcing Walters into a quick decision.  

Berwick hit back almost immediately in the second half through a Barry Hogg piledriver in the 47^th minute. Half the spectators were finishing off their half time cuppa when Hogg picked the ball up 35 yards from goal, unleashing an unstoppable effort into the postage stamp giving the keeper absolutely no chance.

Stenny were asking more questions in the Berwick defence second half, something that they lacked in the first. McCroary again the provider with a beautifully weighted pass to the hard-working Snedden but Walters was alert to the danger once again getting there in the nick of time.

Again Snedden involved finding space in behind the Berwick defence, his 18 yard shot had Walters at full stretch tipping it round the post for a corner.

Chances were few and far between for the home side in the second period but in the last five minutes of the game they sprung into life and will count themselves unfortunate not to come away with all three points.

Daniel Watt’s delicate through-ball found Coultress on the right but the keeper had his angles covered and saved well.

Moments later the home side hit the post from John Crawford after a cross from the right picked out the trialist at the far post.

Another dangerous cross on the right fell to Watt inside the area but another reflex save from the keeper denied the home side taking the spoils.

Despite a frantic finish from the home side it finished honours even, overall Stenhousemuir will be the happier of the two sides after that result.