Considering the fact that East Stirling were separated from Peterhead by the length of the league table, they put up a creditable performance against the team at the top.
In fact it was a terrible goalkeeping error that handed Peterhead the opening goal and spoilt an otherwise decent defensive performance in the first 45 minutes.
Keeper Tony Mitchell left his line to cut out a cross from Peterhead full back Iain Good but failed to reach the ball before Martin Bavidge, who nodded the ball over the keeper's outstretched arms torwards the empty goal. Fellow striker Scott Michie was alert to the situation and arrived in time to tap the ball over the line before a closing defender.
The same player doubled the visitors advantage in the 61st minute after he had been pushed in the air by Shire defender Steve Oates. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Michie made no mistake from 12 yards.
Michie also hit the inside of the upright with a shot which would have given him a hat-trick, but that would have been rough on Shire who did not deserve to be three behind at that stage.
The home side pulled one back with a penalty award of their own when Craig Tully tripped Ross Donaldson on the six-yard line. Veteran Joe Robertson stroked the ball home to set up the possibility of an exciting finish.
Although Shire tried very hard to snatch the equaliser in the closing stages, the league leaders' defence proved up to the task and they held on for their 11th win of the season.
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