STIRLING ALBION 0 COWDENBEATH 3
Saturday 15th April, Ladbrokes League Two Match No 33, Att 638.
Goals from Dale Carrick (2) and Kris Renton saw us record a second win at Forthbank this season in what manager Gary Locke described as our best performance since he took over.

There was one change to the side which had drawn at Meadowbank with Scott Rumsby returning from his suspension and Robbie Buchanan dropping to the bench.

Stirling had gone into the game on the back of seven wins in eight games but it was Cowden who showed more urgency and after just three minutes a Mullen shot was deflected for a corner with Dale CARRICK firing home from close range after being set up by Renton flowing Mullen’s flag kick.

At the other end Morrison sent a free kick into the Cowden box but there were no takers and the ball drifted wide.

Both Renton and Carrick both went close to increasing our lead while at the other end a Kavanagh header was blocked by Sneddon.

Our second goal came with 21 minutes gone when Henderson sent over a cross for Kris RENTON to slot home from close range.

An attacking minded performance saw the chances continue with Miller and Mullen coming close while Stirling’s Morrison saw a shot blocked by Rutherford.

Then as the half drew to a close Rutherford once again denied the home side heading a Henderson header off the line.

The opening of the second half saw Mullen float a free kick into the home box but the flag was up for offside against Syme.

Carrick then sent a shot wide while McLaren saw a shot held by Sneddon.

Our third goal came in 68 minutes when a Renton effort was turned for a corner by Chris Smith and Mullen’s kick was parried by the keeper into the path of CARRICK who hit the ball on the turn for his seventh goal of the season.

A good all round performance against the division’s form team but late comebacks from Edinburgh City and Clyde still saw us three points behind the back at the foot of the table.

TEAM: Sneddon, Syme, Pyper, Rumsby, Rutherford, Mullen (Moore 81), Miller, O’Brien, Henderson, Carrick & Renton. Subs not used – McGurn Johnston, McLauchaln, B Ross, Muirhead & Buchanan.

Goals: Carrick (4,68), Renton (21).

STIRLING ALBION: C Smith, McGeachie, Quigley, Black (Jeffries 69), Caddis, Morrison (Bikey 30), Henderson, D Smith, Dickson, Kavanagh (McLaren 30) & Forsyth. Subs not used – Fallens, McMillan, Colquhoun & McMullan.

Booked: Dickson (71).

REFEREE: Scott Millar.