The first quarter of the league campaign closed with a sixth defeat in the opening nine games against the league leaders who made six changes to their side which had lost in the Scottish Cup the previous week.

We also made two changes to the side which lost to East Kilbride with McInally and Stirling coming into the starting line up at the expense of Leslie and Miller.

The Albion made a strong opening to the game and in the first minute Morrison sent a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

Morrison was proving to be a threat and in 18 minutes he sent over a cross which was headed by Darren Smith into the hands of McGurn.

The Stirling threat continued and minutes later Black sent a shot over but in the 27th minute the visitors opened the scoring when Caddis cut the ball back to Darren SMITH who shot high into the corner of the net.

Six minutes later they went two up when Morrison floated the ball into the Cowden box and Peter MacDONALD headed home. The striker however had to go off a minute later after picking up an injury.

As the first half drew to a close Buchanan saw a shot held by Binnie while Garden headed over from a Mullen corner.

The half time break saw Muirhead replace Swann but it was Stirling who had the first goal threat with Darren Smith curling the ball over from the edge of the box.

Midway through the second period we had our best chance of the afternoon to pull a goal back but Muirhead’s shot was saved by the diving Binnie.

A minute later Stirling got their third goal when Neil McLAUGHLIN got on the end of a Darren Smith cross to slot home his first goal for the club.

In the dying minutes of the game we were denied a consolation goal when Binnie tipped a Buchanan shot over the bar.

TEAM: McGurn, McInally, Rutherford, Mullen, Rumsby, Syme, Buchanan, Stirling, Garden (Morris 58), B Smith (Denton 62) & Swann (Muirhead 46). Subs not used – Penman, Miller, A Smith & Connelly.

Booked: Swann (24), Mullen (32).

STIRLING ALBION: Binnie, McGeachie, Hamilton, McNeil, R Smith, Black, Morrison (Kavanagh 78), Caddis, MacDonald (McLaughlin 34), D Smith & Robertson. Subs not used – Fodden, Noble, Banner, Dickson & McMullan.

Goals: D Smith (27), McLaughlin (33), McLaughlin (66).

Booked: Kavanagh (89).