We ended the year with a second successive defeat at Forthbank Stadium last Saturday afternoon.

Blair Malcolm, David Cox and Robbie Buchanan returned to the starting line up with Jason Talbot suspended while both Josh Skelly and Harvey Swann dropped to the bench.

Stirling had the first chance of the afternoon when Hughes broke clear but dragged his shot across the face of goal.

A minute later we opened the scoring when a slack pass back by Marr was intercepted by Scott Allan who slotted his shot past the keeper.

Cox then saw a header go wide, while midway through the half Marsh fouled Smith on the edge of the box but MacDonald sent the resulting free kick wide.

Renton then headed over from a corner but the turning point of the afternoon came ten minutes from the break when Deas was judged to have brought down MacDonald just inside the box and was sent off while Dyan MACKIN equalised from the spot.

Mullen then saw a shot from the edge of the box saved by Ferrie and then as the first half came to a close Smith set up Dominic DOCHERTY who fired home a right footed shot what proved to be the winner.

Six minutes into the second half Smith headed over and then just short of the hour Pyper came close with two headers with the keeper denying him on both occasions.

TEAM: McGurn, Mullen, Malcolm (Pyper 32), Marsh, Deas, Miller, Cox (Skelly 70), Allan (Sheerin 81), Renton, Fraser & Buchanan. Subs not used – Goodfellow, Swann, Sneddon & Scott.

Goal: Allan (9).

Booked: Marsh (24).

Sent off: Deas (35).

STIRLING ALBION: Ferrie, McGeachie, Allan (Thomson 68), Hughes, Horne, Marr, Jardine, Docherty, Mackin (McLaughlin 72), Smith(Banner 81) & MacDonald. Subs not used – Binnie, McLaren & Rutkiewicz.

Goals: Mackin (36), Docherty (45+1).