It was far from a classic on a flat, lifeless Cliftonhill pitch but second-half goals from Ryan Dow and substitute Russell McLean were enough to maintain Peterhead’s title challenge.
The Blue Toon were forced to play second fiddle to a Rovers side battling to get off bottom spot during a turgid first half but a much-improved performance after the break saw Jim McInally’s team prevail.
Peterhead defender Mick Dunlop agreed that it was simply a case of job done.
He said: “The pitch was not great, and they put us under a lot of pressure in the first half with the wind behind them.
“However, we defended well and Greg Fleming was not really troubled in our goal.
“In the second half we were a lot better and overall we deserved the win.”
The game started brightly with a Derek Lyle back-heel setting up Rory McAllister who drilled wide from 20 yards.
McAllister limped off to be replaced by Willie Gibson on 26 minutes and little else happened in the first half apart from Cameron Eadie heading a corner over and a half-hearted appeal for a penalty when Dow went down with home goalkeeper Peter Morrison in close attendance.
Balmoor manager McInally earned his corn at half-time as Dunlop revealed: “The manager told us that we had to do better. Albion Rovers had been better than us and we were told that we had to match their enthusiasm and endeavour. If we did that the manager said our quality would come through and it did.”
Boosted by McInally’s encouragement, the second half started brightly with Lyle almost being released by a Gibson through ball.
However, the Blue Toon only had to wait three minutes into the restart for a goal.
Jamie Stevenson lofted a high cross into the home box and Morrison flapped under pressure from Dow who maintained his composure to nod the loose ball home.
Dunlop said: “Ryan had not played at Cliftonhill before but he just got on with it.
“He showed his value with his goal and it is good to have him signed permanently.”
A Lyle lob from 30 yards was caught by Morrison before Peterhead added their second with 19 minutes left.
Scott Brown won the ball at the edge of the home box and slipped in McLean who picked his spot before slotting home.
Dunlop added: “After losing last weekend to Clyde it was important to come to a difficult venue and get a result.
“We lost our main striker as well, so it was not easy but we got the points.”
