After a second half performance filled with gusto at East End Park on Saturday hopes were high amongst the Albion support that the Binos could take three points from Morton and reignited their challenge to stay in the First Division. Sadly the same guts and verve was lacking from the Stirling performance as they meekly succumbed to a two-one defeat in a turgid game which lacked quality and much in the way of coherent football. Chris Aitken scored the Albion goal, equalising what looked to be an Andy Graham own-goal but has officially been recorded as a Ryan Harding effort. Ryan McGuffie strode forward to smash the winning goal for the Ton with nine minutes remaining.

McGuffie was making his debut for Morton after signing on loan from Gretna, the club that Albion were supposed to have signed Australian midfielder Eric Paartalu from, however evidently the deal was not completed in time for him to take his place in the side. With Craig Reid returning to Celtic, Laurie Ellis moved into the centre of defence with Forsyth sliding back into left-back and Marek Tomana getting a much anticipated chance on the wing; the Slovak was far from his best and looks a better bet coming on late in games. Derek Lilley continued in attack after an improved showing at Dunfermline but was found to be off the match pace as Albion’s best first half chances were presented to him.

The former Morton player had arguably the best chance of his Stirling career to date as McKenna played an angled pass through to him but, with just the goalkeeper to beat, Lilley’s touch on his chest let him down and the chance was well gone. Such lapses in concentration have cost Albion dear this season yet there was another example as Andy Graham inadvertently passed the ball out of defence to Peter Weatherson who was only denied by the most impressive of fingertip saves from Hogarth.

The scrappy nature of the match was doing little to warm either set of fans, who suffered long, cold periods of the game without a great deal of football to cheer. On rare occasions the Binos did manage to look slick, Aitken and Bell instrumental in the best moments. It was a neat combination between the two Albion central midfielders that saw Bell get to the bye-line but his drilled cross, which could only be tipped into the centre of the penalty box by McGurn, had no-one alert enough in a red shirt to take advantage.

Morton, were only threatening in patches, McGuffie hitting a long range effort straight at Hogarth, and, although Stirling were creating little more, Albion’s opportunities tended to have a more clear-cut edge to them. Chris Aitken’s powerful run, which took him away from two midfielder players, ended with a shot that flashed just wide of the post leaving the skipper puzzled as to how his effort had missed the target and Jim McInally wondering exactly what happened to his central defence.

Bell was providing the impetus from the centre of the park and so it was a huge blow for him to limp off prior to half-time, the direct result of a crude challenge from McAnespie, a tackle which brought the former Alloa midfielder a yellow card. This moment changed the game as Albion would never look the same threat going forward again. This would be the story of Albion’s afternoon and, in truth, has perhaps been the story of the season.

Forsyth did make the odd surging run from left-back in the second period and Aitken dictated the attacks as well as he has since the summer however Albion broke down and looked a poor outfit, lacking in confidence for significant spells.

As was the case at Dunfermline the opening goal was a calamity of defensive errors. Myles Hogarth badly misjudged a free-kick from the left, missing the ball entirely as he came to punch. Andy Graham, presumably unsighted and caught unaware, unintentionally headed the ball back across his own goal and perhaps even over the goal-line before Ryan Harding touched it into the net. Disaster.

Almost like a natural reaction to the goal, Albion showed what football they are capable of as they pieced together their best move of the second half immediately following the goal. Decent passing down the right saw Harris and Nugent link effectively for the latter to send in a low cross that was smacked into the net by Chris Aitken.

This level of play could not be maintained for long although, with the heart of the Morton defence looking porous, the Binos really should have taken the lead minutes later. A harmless looking through ball from Aitken towards McKenna should have been intercepted by the blue and white hooped centre-backs however they instead managed to flatten each other. Finally the break Stirling needed to get their season back on track as McKenna homed in on goal. Belying the deadly finisher he was earlier in the season the young forward dallied on the ball like the proverbial rabbit caught in headlights and McGurn smothered the ball at the forward’s feet.

As Albion had carved an opening down the right hand side through Bell in the first half Morton did likewise with less than ten minutes on the clock. A low ball from Finlayson was zipped into the centre of the goal and, as it was deflected towards the edge of the area, was met by the powerful right-foot of Ryan McGuffie, who lasered a shot into the corner of Hogarth’s goal.

Albion piled forward when given the opportunity in the final minutes of the game but never seriously threatened McGurn’s goal again, allowing the visitors to hold out for three points that will go some way to easing their own relegation fears.

In truth the Morton did enough to win an unimpressive game but with a little more incision in front of goal the points could have been Albion’s. Moore’s men lacked the pilfering instinct that has so often been a feature of opponents’ play, costing the Binos several points. A lack of luck has been bemoaned in recent weeks and, although Stirling were given their share here, could not take advantage of it. It will take a monumental effort in order to avoid the drop now.