Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally, Nugent, Aitken, Bell, Devine (Taggart 78), Bingham, Snodgrass (Cramb 55), and O’Brien (Tomana 48). Unused Subs:- Fraser and Christie

Airdrie United:- Robertson, Proctor, Lovering, McDonald, McKenna, McGowan (Smyth 72), Potter, Taylor, Twigg, Harty (McDougall 80) and Holmes (McKeown 53). Unused Subs:- Lukaszewski and Hollis

The Binos fought back from a two goal half time deficit to score two goals in the last five minutes to set up what promises to be a tense occasion when the two teams meet in the second leg at the Excelsior Stadium on Saturday.
A feature of the Binos’ play this season has been the attractive football which Allan Moore has encouraged. However, on tonight’s performance, and indeed Saturday’s match against Raith Rovers, they have shown a fighting spirit which has put them within touching distance of a place in next season’s First Division.
Unsurprisingly, the Binos were unchanged from Saturday as the match kicked off in front of a very good crowd, boosted by a larger than expected travelling support which almost filled the East Stand. In addition, the North Terracing was opened to accommodate the overspill of Albion fans as the people of Stirling finally turned out to support their local team.
The first chance fell to the home team in the 8th minute when an Aitken free kick from the left was scooped over the bar by Bell. Next good build up play involving Forsyth and Bingham ended when Bell went down in the box. However, instead of awarding a penalty, referee Brines booked Brines for what was, in his opinion, a dive.
The better of the chances were falling to the Binos and O’Brien should have done better when Bingham chipped the ball over a defender. However, O’Brien must have thought the defender would have got the ball and, instead, it went harmlessly past for a goal kick.
Airdrie gradually started to come into the game but a weak shot by Holmes was easily gathered by Hogarth. Then, on the 35th minute, Airdrie took the lead when a badly weighted pass from Bell was intercepted by Lovering. The ball was played to Twigg who stroked the ball past Hogarth. 1-0 to Airdrie.
The Binos responded when Forsyth finished off a run with a shot which went inches past the post. O’Brien then blazed over when a low, hard shot might have been more productive.
Just on half time, Airdrie doubled their lead when the Binos’ defence failed to clear and Harty poked the ball home. 2-0 to Airdrie at half time.
The second half was totally dominated by the Binos as they tried to pull at least one goal back. Bingham hit the bar with a header in the 52nd minute. Devine then hit the side net with a left foot shot. Next to have a go was Nugent but his header from a Devine corner was straight at Robertson.
On the hour mark, a one handed save by Robertson denied Bingham. Bell then forced Robertson to block a shot with his feet
At the other end, a well timed tackle prevented Harty from getting a shot at goal.
Back to the other end, and a long range effort was saved by Robertson at the second attempt. Robertson again was the Airdrie hero when he tipped a Forsyth header over the bar.
With the Binos being urged on by their fans, Nugent burst through a ruck of players but, with nowhere to pass the ball, he swivelled and sent a left foot shot wide of Robertson and into the back of the net.
Then, in the final minute, the Binos got the equaliser they thoroughly deserved, when an Aitken free kick took a deflection and beat Robertson. There may have been a slice of luck in the goal, but it was nothing less than the Binos deserved for a gutsy second half performance.
The tie is now perfectly set up for Saturday’s second leg when the part timers will have to summon enough energy for one last push. This will be the Binos biggest game for a long time and there should be a good travelling support for the team’s first visit to the Excelsior, or New Broomfield, as it is commonly called by the Airdrie fans.