An own goal ten minutes from the break saw us go down to a fourth successive defeat at a bitterly cold Forthbank.

There were three changes to the side which had lost with Matthew McInally, Kyle Miller and Robbie Buchanan all returning to the starting line up with David Syme, Ben Reilly and Aiden Malone dropping to the bench.

The opening minute saw Brad Smith being brought down by McGeachie 30 yards out and Miller’s resultant free kick was parried by keeper Binnie at the expense of a corner.

Four minutes later at the other end McGeachie sent over a cross which fell to Darren Smith who sent his shot over the bar.

With 22 minutes gone Cox picked the ball up just inside the Stirling half but his long range shot went wide of goal.

A minute later a ball into the box by Swann was intercepted by Smith and gathered by Binnie with Cox lurking.

McLaughlin then sent a volley over the Cowden bar from 17 yards with Robertson also shooting over just past the half hour.

The only goal of the night came with 35 minutes gone when MacDonald sent over a corner which was punched by McGurn but bounced off Pyper and squirmed into the net.

As the first half drew to a close a McLaughlin shot was held by McGurn while Binnie did likewise from a Malcolm effort.

The second half opened with Robertson sending a shot over the bar while with 49 minutes gone Buchanan set up Smith whose shot was tipped over the bar by Binnie.

There was a let off two minutes later when Darren Smith failed to get proper connection on a short pass back by Rumsby and the ball rolled past the goal.

Cox then latched onto a long ball but was snuffed out by the home defence with Smith failing to connect with his eventual pass.

Buchanan then saw a long range shot held by Binnie and then just past the hour he sent a shot from the edge of the box over the bar.

McLaughlin then saw another shot held by McGurn while in 69 minutes Swann sent in a free kick which was flicked on by Malcolm with Binnie once again pulling off a good save.

TEAM: McGurn, McInally, Swann, Pyper, Rumsby, Miller, Mullen, Malcolm, Cox, Smith (Reilly 72) & Buchanan. Subs not used – Penman, Hornby, Syme, Whitaker, Malone & Luke.

Booked: Cox (73)

STIRLING ALBION: Binnie, McGeachie, Hamilton, McNeil, R Smith, Moon (Black 80), McLaughlin (Stanger 90), Jardine, MacDonald (Kavanagh 70), D Smith & Robertson. Subs not used – Fallens, Banner, Caddis & McMullan.

Goal: Pyper (og 35).