Another nail was hammered into Stirling Albion’s coffin on Saturday as, for the second time in as many games, a lead was surrendered allowing Livingston to recover from a one goal deficit to win by two goals to one. Once again the performance from the men in red was far from disgraceful however defensive frailties were once again exposed by the Lions, who fell behind when Jay Rodriguez poked home from a corner kick. Griffiths would level for Livingston prior to the interval before Albion suffered a killer blow when Robert Snodgrass rapped home a rebound after Hogarth had stopped his initial header.

Allan Moore was forced into two changes from the starting eleven that had competed well with Dunfermline in midweek before eventually slumping to a disappointing three-two defeat. Out went on-loan Ryan McCay, who has returned to St Mirren, replaced by Stewart Devine at left-back, while Erik Paatalu, now with Morton, was replaced by Andy Graham at the heart of the back four.

Livingston failed to sparkle in the manner that they have against the Binos in their three previous meetings, Graham Dorrans largely a spectator as he had a quiet performance by his high standards. While one youngster was hushed well by the Binos’ defence the back four could not contain the effervescent presences of Snodgrass on the left wing and Leigh Griffiths in attack. The pair’s pace and willingness would cause Albion all afternoon with Griffiths catching the eye not only because of his orange boots and bleached blonde hair.

Correctly named as man of the match by the stadium announcer at full-time, it was Griffiths who drew Livingston level after the Lions had been rather easily tamed by Stirling for much of the first half. At just seventeen years of age the youngster impressed greatly, showing confidence to shoot from twenty-five yards out after a rather aimless punt forward by the home side had left the forward with few options. Although his left-footed effort was sweetly hit Albion goalkeeper Myles Hogarth will be very disappointed with his attempt to block the shot, succeeding only in scooping the ball into the net.

To this point Albion had looked comfortable for long spells, particularly early in the game when they would succeed in fashioning the better openings. Craig Malloy, who would have arguably his most influential game in his short career with the Binos, was particularly lively early in the match, finding space on the edge of the home box on more than one occasion however his long range shooting failed to match his tenacious tackling back.

In conjunction with the St Mirren midfielder, Steven Bell was showing his obvious class on the right of midfield, punctuating the first half with his typically powerful runs down the right. Bell’s match would sadly be cut short two minutes before half-time when he limped off injured, with him going much of Stirling’s incisive attacking threat.

Bell’s influence had been clear in the opening stages, the Dunfermline-bound midfielder responsible for much of Stirling’s best attacking play however it was from a corner that the Binos deservedly drew first blood. Poor defending from the home side allowed an Aitken corner to bounce about in the box, Jay Rodriguez showing a nice piece of intelligence to finish with a lofted flick over Colin Stewart.

Only now did Livingston really start to exert any pressure on the visiting goal, although Andy Graham and Laurie Ellis generally covered well in the centre of defence, nullifying the threat coming down the left from Snodgrass and the right from Dorrans. Livingston had certainly begun to carve out some shooting opportunities but had really failed to seriously test Hogarth before Griffiths slammed home ten minutes before the interval.

To lose such a goal close to the interval was doubtless a blow to a side that had worked so hard to gain an advantage. Although the goal initially did not seem to faze the Binos a poor start to the second period was perhaps evidence that the equaliser had toyed with their defensive concentration.

Allan Moore will be raging with the second goal Livingston scored as Snodgrass was allowed the freedom of the box as he headed James’ cross goalward. Hogarth did very well to react to the former Stirling player’s first effort however there was little he could do about the follow-up, which was slammed home gleefully by the lively left-winger.

At first it seemed that Stirling may have been forced to endure a siege on their goal for the remainder of the match as the lively Griffiths again danced around a couple of challenges before taking a coat of paintwork off of Hogarth’s post while another effort was fired narrowly wide by the home side.

To their credit Albion battled back but could not create a goal scoring chance inside their hosts’ box. Jay Rodriguez showed fine skill and technique to bring a high ball down on his chest before volleying goalward however his firmly struck effort was fielded easily by Stewart, who had positioned himself well. Aitken twice and Malloy would also find room to shoot from range however naught would come from their off-target efforts.

An increasingly apprehensive home side managed to see out the final moments of the match without any real worries. Although Livingston will doubtless have played more impressively this season, the three points won on Saturday will have gone some way to ensuring their presence in the First Division next term.

Sadly it is almost certain to be a First Division that does not contain the Binos as the eleven point gap to Morton is surely insurmountable. For the first time it seems that Moore is turning one eye towards next term as Gary Muir, who has played as a trialist over the last three matches, was given over a half to prove himself and will likely be given a contract until the end of the season. More exciting was the introduction of Liam Corr in the second half, the Doune teenager turning in an encouraging performance on his full debut.