Gunning was booked for dissent, while his fellow defender, Shaun Hutchinson, was cautioned for a crunching challenge and Stranraer forced another chance that CraigMalcolm volleyed just wide.
But City's hopes of selling Dinning to Inverness Caledonian Thistle were done no favours by the sacking on Monday lunchtime of Caley's management team of Craig Brewster and former Chester number two Malcolm Thomson.
Former Rangers defender Craig Moore was in Roar's starting line-up, while ex-Ibrox players Charlie Miller and Bob Malcolm came on as substitutes, but it was young striker Kruse who gave Celtic most trouble early on.