From Forthbank Stadium, Stirling

Kick Off: 3.00pm

James Stewart Reporting

Stirling Albion (4-4-2): Hogarth, Nugent, Ellis, Graham, Lithgow, Aitken, Hay, Partaalu, McKenna, Lilley, Taggart. Subs: Cramb, Moffat, Tomana, Murphy, Christie.

Booked: Nugent, Hay.

Dundee (4-4-2): Samson, Cowan, Dixon, McDonald, McKenzie, Malone, Robertson, McHale, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, Swankie. Subs: Davidson, Lyle, Worrell, Daquin, White.

Booked: McMenamin, Robertson.

Referee: Brian Winter.
Assistant Referees: Alastair Mather, Morag Pirie.

The Binos returned to Forthbank this week on the back of a defeat from Dumfries side Queen of the South. Allan  Moore made some changes to the line up this week as John Paul McBride and Ross Harris were dropped to make way for Derek Lilley to partner David McKenna and emergency loan signing Alan Lithgow filled in the void after Brain Alison was injured during training two weeks ago.

Today’s game was going to be heavily influenced by the high winds and the poor condition of the pitch and if things weren’t hard enough Dundee are one of the title contenders along with league leaders Hamilton Academical. The game started well for the Binos with Derek Lilley’s run ending with a pass to David McKenna who lined up a shot for on loan Aussie Eric Partaalu who sent his shot wide of Craig Samson’s goal. After the Binos early chance to take a crucial lead Dundee were on the counter-attack and managed to pressure the home defence who conceded a corner that was missed by the Stirling defence and left the unmarked Mickael Antoine-Curier with a easy shot into the Stirling goal to take the lead for the visitors. Colin McMenamin was the first player of the day to get referee Brian Winter’s attention with a deliberate hand ball and he seen yellow for his efforts. Dundee were back to pressuring the Stirling defence with a free kick  taken by Frenchman Antoine-Curier but his effort was deflected off the wall and out for a corner. Dundee continued the assault on the Stirling goal with Kevin McDonald’s shot just went past Myles Hogarth’s right hand post. By now the Binos were on the back foot but some how Chris Aitken managed to get away from his marker after an excellent challenge by Alan Lithgow, but Aitken's resulting shot went sailing over the bar. With the Binos not getting out of first gear the visitors again set up an excellent chance to go two up but luckily Hogarth managed to stop Antoine-Curier’s shot at the second attempt. Soon after though it was indeed a second for Dundee when winger Gavin Swankie managed to dupe the Stirling defence and get a shot on target but Hogarth made the block and was helpless to stop Colin McMenamin’s rebound.

The Binos were nearly back in the running soon after Dundee’s second as Paul Hay managed to cross the ball into the feet of David McKenna but unluckily for McKenna, Dundee keeper Craig Samson managed to save his effort. The final action of the first half came as the referee booked Paul Nugent for his tackle on Swankie, the resulting free kick for the visitors nearly put the Binos three goals down at half time after some lack-luster defensive move, luckily half time came and saved Stirling from more first half woes and defensive errors.

HT: Stirling Albion 0 v 2 Dundee

As the teams came out for the second half Allan Moore decided it was time for a change as he hooked Paul Nugent off and dropped Marek Tomana into the fray. Now it was the Binos turn to have the wind aiding them as the second half kicked off the Binos nearly clawed a goal back as Chris Aitken’s long range shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced out off the line into the path of Tomana who directed his header over the bar. Stirling continued with the pressure as Aitken managed to feed the ball through to Lilley who was now one on one with Samson but Lilley sent his angled shot directly at the Dundee keeper. Dundee were soon on a counter attack with Swankie sending a cross into the area where McMenamin was waiting but he could only manage to send the ball up and over the bar.

By now things were starting to look bleak for the Binos as Lauire Ellis intercepted a cross and his clearance hit off Antoine-Curier and went in for Dundee’s third. Dundee soon pounced again down the right wing and McMenamin managed to fool Ellis and get his cross in to the box where Antoine-Curier was waiting to head home his third and Dundee’s forth goal of the game. Sensing things needed to change Allan Moore made his second substitution of the game when David McKenna made way for Colin Cramb whilst Dundee also made a change with Colin McMenamin making way for Bob Davidson. Soon after coming on Davidson got on the end of a free kick that was conceded by Paul Hay and Davidson managed to wriggle around the Stirling defenders who just stood and looked at him as he tapped the ball in for Dundee’s fifth. Dundee made there second change of the game as Antoine-Curier went off with a shoulder knock and on came Derek Lyle. The Binos managed to claw a goal back from a Aitken corner that picked out Colin Cramb who slotted the ball home.

Cramb’s goal done little to help the situation as Dundee made their final substitution with Paul McHale making way for Freddie Daquin. Who made his presence known from a Dundee corner when he sent his shot inches over the Stirling goal. Dundee's sixth goal came when Swankie again managed to fool Ellis and cross the ball into the box for Derek Lyle to head into the back of the net. The final action of the game was when Dundee’s Scott Robertson was booked for his lunge at Chris Aitken who was soon replaced by Paul Murphy.